Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Other animals

How to get rid of bird mites on your pet bird

Rebekkah Adams
By

You may have heard of dust mites that feed on our dead skin, but there are pests that do something similar to our pet birds. No one wants to find mites on their little avian, and, unfortunately, this creepy-crawly can appear seemingly from nowhere. You’ll usually find them if your bird has had contact with other species or spent some time outside recently. Additionally, mites can indicate that he’s not getting enough nutrients or has another underlying condition, so check in with his vet if you discover a bug problem. Here’s how to get rid of bird mites on pet birds.

Bird with mites pecking at skin
Charlotte Bleijenberg/Shutterstock

Confirm it’s bird mites

Mites can occur in a few places on your pet, including in the feathers, on his skin, and internally. As an arachnid, they have more in common with a tick or spider than an insect, making them all the more creepy. But sometimes pet owners see bird mites when actually they’re looking at just dead skin or another problem. You should check in with your vet to confirm that it’s a mite infestation bothering your animal. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can better tackle the problem.

Related Videos

Prevent them from entering

If you have an indoor-only bird with little contact with the outside world, you most likely won’t get bird mites frequently. However, you can still reduce his risk even more or apply these tips when you know your bird will be leaving the nest — to go to the vet, for example. Sometimes you might get bugs entering the home from a wild animal if a bird builds a nest nearby. Keep chimneys, gutters, vents, and rooftops bird-free to help make your house a no-mite zone.

Deter them from your bird

Luckily, these critters hate a household material you probably already have lying around: vinegar. This can work as both a deterrent and to ease the itch on your pet’s skin. Best of all, your bird won’t be bothered one bit by the vinegar, though you can combine it with peppermint or water it down to help ease the sting and stench. Don’t dilute it too much, though; it’s that pungent smell the bugs don’t like. Watered-down alcohol or even orange and lemon peels or mint leaves also can help.

Bird sits quietly in hands

Clean thoroughly

Unfortunately, just like lice, bedbugs, or ants, the pests on your bird can spread to your home. You’ll need to clean, vacuum, and safely treat your pet’s enclosure and the surrounding areas. Additionally, ensure you tackle other rooms that might have been exposed if he was flying around the place, or if you think the pests came in through another source, such as a wild nest. Never use a bug bomb with a bird in the house and keep any bug-killing spray far away from his cage.

Treat his skin

Of course, you need to be extra careful with his sensitive skin, and you should avoid the face entirely. If he does have mites in his eyes, nose, or beak, get his vet to take care of those for you. Better to be doubly cautious not to get something in his eyes or risk him swallowing too much of a chemical. However, you can use natural remedies like essential oils on the rest of him to keep away pests and make his skin feel better. Start in a small area on his back (not the wings) with diluted oil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. You want to make sure he doesn’t have a bad reaction or allergies first before covering him in your chosen scent. Check the treated area carefully and then continue with his therapy. You can make removing mites feel like a spa day.

While a mite infestation may seem like the end of the world, you can tackle it with household items you already have at your fingertips. These simple cleaners might not look like much, but they’re both safe and effective. You can also take easy preventative measures like quarantining any new birds, cleaning his cage frequently, and keeping wild birds far from the house. Your pet will definitely prefer to stay itch-free. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Is your fish tank for bettas too small? Here’s are the do’s and don’ts of betta care
Care tips to keep your new betta fish happy in the right size tank
A betta swims with plants in its tank

While the betta craze may have died down a little, you still see many of these beautiful blue fish in homes and in stores. It's true that they make great pets, even for a novice aquarist, since they don't require an overly extensive tank setup and often prefer to be alone. But just because they work well for a newbie doesn't mean you can dive in without any research. We're here with what you need to know about betta fish care and fish tanks for bettas. Here are the do's and don'ts for bettas.

What do I need to know about taking care of my betta fish?
Do research fish breeders
It all starts with the betta egg, and even the mom and dad. Just like with a puppy, you want to ensure your fishy has had a good life from hatching. There are tons of ethical breeders out there, but you can find some shady ones, too. In general, you want to avoid stores that have them crammed into tiny containers and cycled in and out every day. Do your research about local pet fish stores in your area or check out some of the more reputable ones online.

Read more
Wondering what to feed baby birds? Here are 5 things you should never offer them
Don't add these foods to your baby bird's meal plan
Hatchlings in a nest begs for food

Even though baby birds look like little dinosaurs, they aren't quite as tough. Since they're not actually velociraptors, you can't throw just anything down their gullets. Chicks have very specific food needs that will change as they age and also vary from species to species. While it can be tricky to manage your brand-new birdie's diet, we're here to tell you what to feed a baby bird. When choosing your avian's menu, avoid these five foods that may harm the little critter.

What can you feed a baby bird?
In the wild, newborn birds eat basically what their mamas and papas do, only all chewed up. You probably shouldn't go through the regurgitation process, but you'll replicate this type of feeding in your home without the ick factor. The tiniest of birds eat formula when they live away from their parents. In addition to being their favorite food (well, actually their only food), this will help you bond with your pet.

Read more
Can snakes swim? Here’s what you need to know about how these legless creatures move through water
Yes, all snakes can swim — here's how they do it
Water snake swimming through seaweed

Love snakes or hate them, they're fascinating creatures. Unlike other reptiles, snakes don't have arms or legs. Yet, even without appendages, these slitherers can move across many different types of terrain, often very quickly. They can make their way up mountainsides and climb to the tops of trees. Some even leap and glide from branch to branch!

But have you ever wondered, "Can snakes swim?" -- and which snakes can swim? Well, the answer, interestingly, is all of them.

Read more