Help! Mite infestation
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Topic URL: http://www.pestcontrolportal.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=634
Printed on: 22 Oct 2006
Topic:
Topic author: squiggle
Subject: Help! Mite infestation
Posted on: 24 Sep 2006 18:11:18
Message:
Last Tuesday I noticed that the top of our pasta container was crawling with tiny mites. Then I noticed that everything else around the pasta container (ie, all my sauce bottles, seasonings, etc) had mites crawling over them. I've thrown out everything (including the kettle and toaster) that I could see had mites on and promptly bleached and scrubbed the cupboards and counter top. Unfortunately the critters haven't all been destroyed and I'm now currently only able to use the half of my kitchen which is not infested.
I'm aware that a lot of mites like humidity and my flat does get damp at times so I've ordered a dehumidifier and hopefully that should be here soon.
Can anyone give me any further advice on how to get rid of the mites other than just scrubbing the place down meticulously, throwing away anything that is infected and reducing the dampness? Are there any low toxicity/non toxic pesticides/insecticides that I can use? My other half has suggested a "bug bomb" but I've read that these don't work with mites and they can be very toxic especially when using them in somewhere like the kitchen.
I'd like to try and get rid of the infection myself before having the call in the pest control boys!
Many thanks.
Replies:
Reply author: Iain
Replied on: 24 Sep 2006 18:44:02
Message:
It sounds as though you have psocids rather than mites, but you would need to have them identified properly to establish this.
If they are psocids, they won't do you any harm, so don't panic!
Also, if they are psocids, drying out your flat will help considerably, so the dehumidifier is a good idea. Inspect all flour-based food for infestation and throw out anything that is infested.
Insecticides should not be necessary.
Where are you anyway?
Reply author: squiggle
Replied on: 24 Sep 2006 19:52:57
Message:
I'm in the UK, Northern Ireland to be more precise.
I had thought they were mites due to the large number of them that I found and the fact that they were all under half a millimetre in size, white/cream in colour and if they hadn't congregated in large numbers on the top of my black pasta jar I don't think I would've noticed them as they are that small.
I'm used to having the odd bug in the kitchen which I know is normal for all homes have bugs living in odd corners, however this is completely new to me as it's a complete infestation of one half of my kitchen, the little beggars are everywhere!
Reply author: Iain
Replied on: 24 Sep 2006 21:34:58
Message:
Even if they are mites, they shouldn't cause you harm. Same as for psocids, dry out the place and throw out everything that is infested.
A hoover would be useful to clean up all the nooks and crannies around the place.
Reply author: squiggle
Replied on: 25 Sep 2006 09:44:03
Message:
Many thanks for your help Iain. It's just very disconcerting to see huge numbers of insects congregating in one area and then finding them spreading out. They seem to have taken a liking to the water spout of our kitchen tap at the moment!
But no worries, hopefully the dehumidifier will come soon and we can get the place properly dried out.
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