The red poultry mite has a soft shelled oval body. They are nearly white when unfed, bright red when recently fed and grey to black with a partially digested blood meal. When found in properties they are generally unfed in search of food and almost appear like moving specs of dust to the naked eye. They are 0.75 to 1mm in length. Red Poultry Mites are alw3ays associated with a birds nest usually when the birds have left and they are in search of food.
Adults have four pairs of legs, a slightly hair appearance under a microscope with an oval body.
After a blood meal the female with lay eggs in batches of up to 7 eggs in crevices under debris in nests and poultry houses. Fed adults can survive 4-5 months without feeding. When humans are attacked these mites can a painful skin irritation. Eradication will consist of locating the origin of the infestation and a thorough insecticide treatment. Gardens, paths, wall cavity, under floor, kitchens.