Guest guest Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 I got birdmites 4 years ago when I covered over a unfinished chimney with brick. Birds had been nesting in the chimney fire-brick and we swept away what nests and debris we found. It was fall with cool temperatures (Colorado) when we did this work. As spring brought warmer temps, I began to feel little bites although no lesions or welts appeared. Just pinprick-like sensations. I bought a magnifying glass to see if I could see anything on my skin but I never did. I researched this throughly and was not able to find anything that seemed to fit what I was experiencing (until finally later - Birdmites.org). My solution to this (not knowing better) was to clean, vacuum and launder everything on a daily basis. It became my routine and it was exhausting. I was self-employed working at home and become obsessed with " cleaning away " what was infesting my home (and later my car) in hopes of ridding this problem from my life. My family and friends thought I was going crazy - and I was. Later I read a quote on the birdmites.org website that said " If someone told me they had this problem I wouldn't believe them but it happened to me. " Boy can I relate to that. Once I found Birdmites.org I felt I finally diagnosed the issue at hand. I thought back that when I covered over the chimney the birds lost their nesting place and the mites had lost their hosts so when the weather warmed up the mites came out of dormancy and came into the house looking for a blood meal (me and my pets). I spoke with exterminators who really didn't know anything about this although they certainly wanted me to utilize their services ($$$). I paid a visit to the CSU entomology department but without " samples " they were unable to determine anything. Eventually I was able to get a " sample " through instructions on birdmites.org and the diagnosis from the Department of Agriculture was some kind of birdmite. I still don't totally understand this whole problem and I could fill volumes detailing this experience and what I went through but what ultimately helped was dusting my home and floors with Diamatrious Earth and Boric Acid. Also sulphur candles helped in the house and car (my brother made them) but this can be very dangerous and deadly - use with extreme caution. I risked my car catching fire but I took my chances. I also used Cedarcide several times but I'm not certain that's an end all. I've heard the heat machines do wonders too but at a very high cost. What helped my skin was olive oil used daily after showering (I think the mites burrow in the skin and the oil helps kill them). My pets were treated with a sulphur dip and Frontline. Cleaning products that helped were Dawn, Windex, Borax, Arm and Hammer, Ammonia. Sadly, I also know I wasn't helped by exterminators, doctors, dermatologists or entomologists. I left my house and moved to an apartment taking only new bedding, towels, furniture and items which could be wiped down with windex. I put everything else I wanted to keep in storage for one year. I dusted my apartment with DE and boric acid and continued to use olive oil on my skin for about 2 months. Those two years were hell and I'm still emotionally recovering from the nightmare but I am living mite free, AT & #8200;LAST. I'm certain I suffer with PTSD but I'm trying to get back on track. I hope this helps. I understand your agony. God bless you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 Jceiam, That was so kind of you to post for us:) I've been thinking of using olive oil on my skin with olive leaf. You've confirmed my hunch. I am so glad you are free of mites and know there are many on this site that will take your advice. Thank you! Love and light, From: jceiam <jceiam@...>Subject: My story and what helpedbird mites Date: Friday, February 4, 2011, 4:38 PM I got birdmites 4 years ago when I covered over a unfinished chimney with brick. Birds had been nesting in the chimney fire-brick and we swept away what nests and debris we found. It was fall with cool temperatures (Colorado) when we did this work. As spring brought warmer temps, I began to feel little bites although no lesions or welts appeared. Just pinprick-like sensations. I bought a magnifying glass to see if I could see anything on my skin but I never did. I researched this throughly and was not able to find anything that seemed to fit what I was experiencing (until finally later - Birdmites.org).My solution to this (not knowing better) was to clean, vacuum and launder everything on a daily basis. It became my routine and it was exhausting. I was self-employed working at home and become obsessed with "cleaning away" what was infesting my home (and later my car) in hopes of ridding this problem from my life. My family and friends thought I was going crazy - and I was. Later I read a quote on the birdmites.org website that said "If someone told me they had this problem I wouldn't believe them but it happened to me." Boy can I relate to that.Once I found Birdmites.org I felt I finally diagnosed the issue at hand. I thought back that when I covered over the chimney the birds lost their nesting place and the mites had lost their hosts so when the weather warmed up the mites came out of dormancy and came into the house looking for a blood meal (me and my pets).I spoke with exterminators who really didn't know anything about this although they certainly wanted me to utilize their services ($$$). I paid a visit to the CSU entomology department but without "samples" they were unable to determine anything.Eventually I was able to get a "sample" through instructions on birdmites.org and the diagnosis from the Department of Agriculture was some kind of birdmite.I still don't totally understand this whole problem and I could fill volumes detailing this experience and what I went through but what ultimately helped was dusting my home and floors with Diamatrious Earth and Boric Acid. Also sulphur candles helped in the house and car (my brother made them) but this can be very dangerous and deadly - use with extreme caution. I risked my car catching fire but I took my chances. I also used Cedarcide several times but I'm not certain that's an end all. I've heard the heat machines do wonders too but at a very high cost.What helped my skin was olive oil used daily after showering (I think the mites burrow in the skin and the oil helps kill them). My pets were treated with a sulphur dip and Frontline. Cleaning products that helped were Dawn, Windex, Borax, Arm and Hammer, Ammonia.Sadly, I also know I wasn't helped by exterminators, doctors, dermatologists or entomologists.I left my house and moved to an apartment taking only new bedding, towels, furniture and items which could be wiped down with windex. I put everything else I wanted to keep in storage for one year. I dusted my apartment with DE and boric acid and continued to use olive oil on my skin for about 2 months.Those two years were hell and I'm still emotionally recovering from the nightmare but I am living mite free, AT & #8200;LAST. I'm certain I suffer with PTSD but I'm trying to get back on track.I hope this helps. I understand your agony. God bless you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2011 Report Share Posted February 4, 2011 Did you ever go back to your house? Did you sell it? z3 > > I got birdmites 4 years ago when I covered over a unfinished chimney with brick. Birds had been nesting in the chimney fire-brick and we swept away what nests and debris we found. It was fall with cool temperatures (Colorado) when we did this work. As spring brought warmer temps, I began to feel little bites although no lesions or welts appeared. Just pinprick-like sensations. I bought a magnifying glass to see if I could see anything on my skin but I never did. I researched this throughly and was not able to find anything that seemed to fit what I was experiencing (until finally later - Birdmites.org). > My solution to this (not knowing better) was to clean, vacuum and launder everything on a daily basis. It became my routine and it was exhausting. I was self-employed working at home and become obsessed with " cleaning away " what was infesting my home (and later my car) in hopes of ridding this problem from my life. > > My family and friends thought I was going crazy - and I was. Later I read a quote on the birdmites.org website that said " If someone told me they had this problem I wouldn't believe them but it happened to me. " Boy can I relate to that. > > Once I found Birdmites.org I felt I finally diagnosed the issue at hand. I thought back that when I covered over the chimney the birds lost their nesting place and the mites had lost their hosts so when the weather warmed up the mites came out of dormancy and came into the house looking for a blood meal (me and my pets). > > I spoke with exterminators who really didn't know anything about this although they certainly wanted me to utilize their services ($$$). I paid a visit to the CSU entomology department but without " samples " they were unable to determine anything. > > Eventually I was able to get a " sample " through instructions on birdmites.org and the diagnosis from the Department of Agriculture was some kind of birdmite. > > I still don't totally understand this whole problem and I could fill volumes detailing this experience and what I went through but what ultimately helped was dusting my home and floors with Diamatrious Earth and Boric Acid. Also sulphur candles helped in the house and car (my brother made them) but this can be very dangerous and deadly - use with extreme caution. I risked my car catching fire but I took my chances. I also used Cedarcide several times but I'm not certain that's an end all. I've heard the heat machines do wonders too but at a very high cost. > > What helped my skin was olive oil used daily after showering (I think the mites burrow in the skin and the oil helps kill them). My pets were treated with a sulphur dip and Frontline. Cleaning products that helped were Dawn, Windex, Borax, Arm and Hammer, Ammonia. > > Sadly, I also know I wasn't helped by exterminators, doctors, dermatologists or entomologists. > > I left my house and moved to an apartment taking only new bedding, towels, furniture and items which could be wiped down with windex. I put everything else I wanted to keep in storage for one year. I dusted my apartment with DE and boric acid and continued to use olive oil on my skin for about 2 months. > > Those two years were hell and I'm still emotionally recovering from the nightmare but I am living mite free, AT & #8200;LAST. I'm certain I suffer with PTSD but I'm trying to get back on track. > > I hope this helps. I understand your agony. > God bless you all. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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