Home Remedies for Chicken Mites in the House

Despite what the name indicates, you do not need to own a chicken to suddenly find your house infested with chicken mites. Chicken mites, which appear crimson red during feeding, can be brought into homes by pets or used furniture. The insects, which live by sucking blood from their hosts, can also bite humans, leaving rashes and itchy skin in their wake.

  1. Anti-itching solutions

    • If you can't stop itching from chicken mite bites, there are items you probably have around the house that can give you some relief. Vinegar, Epsom salts and mouthwash containing alcohol have proven to be effective at soothing skin. Once you've been bitten, simply apply one of these products to the affected area, and you should quickly feel some relief.

    Keeping Mites Away at Night

    • With chicken mites in your bed, it can be hard to get a good night's rest. But several household items can keep the bugs away from you at night and let you sleep easy. Mites have an aversion to menthol, so putting menthol crystals in an old sock under your sheets can keep the mites away at night, according to BirdMites.org. Applying Vicks VapoRub or a similar product to your skin before bed can also keep the mites away.

    Keeping Mites Away During the Day

    • Keeping mites off your skin during the day can be easy with a few handy household products. Dryer sheets are successful at keeping the insects away, so BirdMites.org suggests stashing a few in your clothes, shoes or other hiding places. It's also good to keep a spray bottle with vinegar and salt water around, as spraying it on surfaces around the house can keep the pests away.

    Killing Mites

    • After finding the source of your chicken mite problem, common home cleaners can effectively kill the insects once and for all. Diluting dishwashing soap and putting it in a spray bottle can be a good way of killing the pests, as the soapy mixture can effectively break down the mites exoskeleton, according to BirdMites.org. Windex with ammonia-D has also proven effective at killing the insects, according to the website.