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Bird Lice
& Mites
Features
- Bird mites (commonly referred to as lice) are small, oval-shaped
parasites, with 8 legs (larvae have 6 legs).
- They are semi-transparent in colour, making them barely visible to
the naked eye. After feeding on blood, they may appear reddish to blackish.
- Bird lice feed on the blood of common birds including pigeons, Indian
mynas, starlings, sparrows, poultry and some wild birds.
- Infestation occurs when birds gain entry to roof cavities via broken
tiles or through unprotected eaves, or from roosting on the outside
of dwellings such as window ledges or awnings.
- Birds often construct their nests in the roofs of homes, factories
and other dwellings. Thriving in the nesting material, bird lice feed
on unfeathered nestlings and adult birds.
Life Cycles
Bird lice have a short life cycle of approximately 7 days, with the ability
to rapidly generate large populations.
Lice lay their eggs on the host or in the nest. Eggs hatch within three
days.
On birds, most of the breeding takes place in the nests. On poultry,
the lice prefer the fluffy downy feathers and are numerous about the
vent, accumulating on a few feathers. If the infested chicken is handled,
the lice will move from chicken to human.
Contact Taylors Pest Services P/L today! back
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