Bug traps to be analyzed for itch mite

Cleo Smith wrote:

I'll go out on a limb here and suggest a few things. After washing all possibly contaminated clothing, linens, and towels, I used a flea and tick shampoo (which I use on my pet rats)as a body wash. That was one thing that made a big difference. I've been using it for a few days and probably will for at least a week for good measure. In addition, using Rid spray on furniture and garments seems to be effective. If you're a gardener, like me, you may want to use an insecticidal soap spray on your garden plants. Don't worry, this does not effect the soil and can be used on edible plants as long as you clean the plants before consumption (duh!). In fact, the bottle boasts that this product is ideal for organic gardeners.

Good idea cleo i will have to try that thank you for the tip

I got bit too. Happened at Bemis Woods Forest Preserve right off of Wolf and Ogden near Hinsdale, IL. It's been 3 days, I have at least 2 red lumps, they itch, but I've been trying hard not to scratche them and cause an infection. I haven't used any medication at all, just hoping they go away on their own soon. I wonder exactly why it goes away, though? Do they leave us for another (preferred) host? Do they die as a result of an immune response? Anyone have any idea?

My daughter had over 100 - i used RID shampoo (what they use for head lice) for ten minutes on the first day and ten minutes on the second day - it worked very well

Well, I'm fortunate enough not to have any of the bites because I live in the south suburbs and the "mites" haven't appeared here...to my knowledge. However, I wanted to suggest making a paste of baking soda and water to put it on the affected area.

I have many allergies and this always works for me with hives. It also works with mosquito bites and for bees stings.

Well, good luck and hope you all find some relief!

I have probably 10 to12 welts concentrated only on my upper back. It's a mystery as to where they came from and I have never had them before. At first I suspected a spider who had a feast with me in my jammies.
Now they crazy itch especially at night and I have bloodied my back somewhat from scratching. The last day or so the most relief has been from the slimey stuff of the aloe plant I keep for such scrapes and itches. Perhaps an aloe plant can give you some relief as well.

ok its midnight, cant sleep, too itchy....so I found this website....i must have at least 100 bites...they all have a center, like a pimple...ooze when scratched..has anyone in upstate ny had these too????....do they eventually go away??

I have these same exact bites with fever and headache. My son has a few of these too and one on his eye that caused it to swell almost closed! They are horrible and itchy and just a pain in general.

On my 2nd round of these invisable pests, both times after mowing the yard. Have about 10 bites this time despite using deet and showering about 3 hours afterward. Next time I'm going to bath in deet before, dress in body armor and shower immediately after. Hope the Health officials figure this out. Perhaps it's bad this year since the cicadas provided an abundant food source.

I can hardly stand the itching!!!! It's been over a week, was doing lots of trimming and cleanup near our small lake. I'm also on an antibiotic. My caregiver never saw anything like this here in Wi. Some bites also apper to have red streaks as if the mite is burrowing elsewhere. Anyone in Wisconsin with this type og bite?

Supposedly insect repellant with DEET helps, but they usually still get you regardless. You can't see the mites, and don't feel their bite. A low-level fever often comes with large numbers of bites. I've been hit pretty badly twice now.

More disturbing than the mites themselves though, is the fact that nobody's talking. Well, people are certainly talking about it amongst themselves, but the media and local government aren't saying much. They had a couple articles when the outbreak initially started, but nothing since. No followup whatsoever.

After nearly 3 weeks, they still don't know the species, and haven't even proven that it is, in fact, mites. With as widespread a problem as this is, and with all the technology available, I find that unbelievable. I also find the media's silence extremely suspicious.

So who's covering this up, and why? "

I have them too. I seem to get a few each week. We had lots of cicadas in Lake County and in particular there is a large old oak tree in my front yard - which I have to walk under to get to my front door. However, my husband has not complained of any bites - he generally does not react to mosquito bites either, so maybe it is worse for people with allergies/sensitivity to bug toxins. Normally, I can wait for winter to arrive, but I would not mind an early freeze...these welts hurt and the itching drives me crazy - not to mention pain from swollen glands fighting off infection.

Just what do these mites look like? Are they white or black little buggers. I thought we had a flea infestation, with an enormous amount of little black biting things. On us, the dogs, we NEVER had fleas in all of the years of having pets. We moved and now we have them like crazy. Or are they mights. I felt something bite me last week on the outer part of the ear, finally I was able to get it off and it was this round white thing that had burrowed. Here's question someone might be able to answer. Will the RID spray work on fleas around the house? I have cans of the stuff from when my kid got the lice in school about 2 years back and had to spray everything and we stocked up on it, just in case there was another outbreak. UGGGG I hate little critters when we are such clean people. I was shocked when my kid came home with lice from school. My mom's dog got the lice on him also. it was bad. Anyway, will RID work if sprayed all over the basement? Anybody know?

Cleo Smith wrote:

I'll go out on a limb here and suggest a few things. After washing all possibly contaminated clothing, linens, and towels, I used a flea and tick shampoo (which I use on my pet rats)as a body wash. That was one thing that made a big difference. I've been using it for a few days and probably will for at least a week for good measure. In addition, using Rid spray on furniture and garments seems to be effective. If you're a gardener, like me, you may want to use an insecticidal soap spray on your garden plants. Don't worry, this does not effect the soil and can be used on edible plants as long as you clean the plants before consumption (duh!). In fact, the bottle boasts that this product is ideal for organic gardeners.

Cleo - are you from Western Springs ?

Tony, yes I grew up in Western Springs. Which Tony are you? I've known several. When did you end up in Plainfield?

What do itch mite look like?

Get ready - It's June 2008 and I have terrible itch mites. Came after working in the yard & I used DEET. They seem to travel in a downward direction. Had 2-3 on my upper arms and then day by day more appeared lower on my arms. Same on my legs. Thought I was going crazy or was coming down with shingles until I found this forum. Can any one suggest a remedy other than squeezing them out?

You guys are lucky not seeing them. I see them everywhere, went to the dr who thought i had a rash, called an exterminator who thought i was crazy, as did I. I know now they are from birds that had nested in my a/c. I think my dogs picked them up first and know all my clothes and myself aew covered. Im going crazy, its 6 in the morning, havent slept in two days. I read yesterday if you put salt on your body they will immediately die. Needless to sat Ive gone thru 6 tubs of salt. Try it, let me know what you think!!