Gamas mouse mite: why appear in the apartment and how to get rid of pests quickly and effectively

Gamasid mites: general information

Gamozoid mites are microscopic arthropods that inhabit the entire planet. This species is currently little studied. It is believed that representatives of this species are the closest relatives of ixodid ticks - arthropods that spread tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease.

Appearance

The gamasid mite can only be seen with a microscope. Representatives of this species have the following external characteristics:

• body up to 2,5 mm long, oval;
• color from yellow to dark brown;
• adults have 4 pairs of thin legs;
• most of the body is covered with chitin, which protects insects from damage.

Reproduction

Gamasids can reproduce in different ways:

Stages of development

The development of gamasid mites includes several stages: egg, larva, 2 nymphal stages, imago (adult). On average, the entire development cycle lasts 10-15 days, the average life expectancy of insects is 6-9 months. Larvae differ from adults in size, number of legs (6, not 8) and lack of nutritional requirements.

Food

Not all gamasid species are parasites. Some species live in the ground, grass, trees. They do not harm people in any way, and because of their microscopic size they are simply not noticed. Some representatives are predators.

They prey on small arthropods, ruin their egg laying, feed on various microorganisms, including fungi. A small part of the species are parasites. They feed on the blood of large mammals, including humans, reptiles, birds, and insects. Among gamasid mites, 2 types of parasitism are distinguished:

1. Temporary. When the parasite is saturated with the blood of the victim and leaves its body, after which it begins to search for a new object of attack.
2. Permanent. The arthropod is constantly on the body of the victim or inside her body. At the same time, they not only freely feed on the blood of the owner, but also warm themselves with the warmth of his body. Such conditions are very favorable for active reproduction.

Common species

Among the many species of Gamasaceae, only a few have medical significance for humans and danger to animals. The main ones are described in more detail below.

mouse mite

Representatives of this species feed on the blood of decorative and wild mice, live and breed in their nests.

The size of the pests is about 3 mm, so they can be seen without a magnifying device.

They are able to attack a person and pose a danger to his health, as they are carriers of vesicular rickettsiosis. The main symptoms of infection with this disease:

• the formation of swelling and inflammation at the site of the bite, the formation of a dark crust;
• a rash that first appears on the limbs and then spreads throughout the body;
• fever, fever;
• joint or muscle pain.

The disease is successfully treated with antibiotics of the tetracycline group. In people with strong immune systems, it is not uncommon for the disease to go away on its own 2 to 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms.

Rat

Outwardly, they do not differ from the type described above, but they prefer to feed on the blood of rats. They can attack a person. Very active and viable in a hungry state, in search of prey, they can cover a distance of several hundred meters, therefore, they often settle in the basements of residential buildings, private houses and apartments, most often located on the ground floor. Rat ticks also pose a danger to humans, being carriers of plague, typhus, Coxsackie virus, and tularemia.

Chicken

Chicks and weakened individuals often die. Chicken mites also attack people, while a person may not even come into contact with an infected bird. Often parasites are found in pillows if the raw material for the filler was processed poorly.

Representatives of this type of pest do not tolerate infectious diseases, but can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions in humans.

If poultry is suspected to be infected with chicken mites, action should be taken immediately.

Individuals are relocated to a temporary poultry house and treated with special preparations: Butox 50, Delcid, Milben. The chicken coop is also disinfected with chemicals: Chlorophos, Tsiodrin, Karbofos. Be sure to close up all the cracks and cracks, whitewash the walls. Quartzing is also recommended.

snake mite

It is a black, shiny parasite that attacks snakes and lizards. Ticks are easy to spot with the naked eye on the body of a reptile or in a container of water where snakes tend to dip to get rid of itching. Intense infestation can cause anemia, molting disorders and severe itching, and secondary infection is often observed. Once on the human body, a snake mite can cause dermatitis, an allergic reaction.

Where do they appear in the apartment and house

There are several reasons why gamasid mites get into an apartment or house:

• pests entered the home on their own, through ventilation grilles, cracks in windows, etc.
• they were brought by domestic animals on their wool or people on clothes, shoes;
• penetrated from basements, attics, cavities into the structure of the building, if mice, rats, amphibians live there or birds nest.

The most favorable conditions for the habitat of pests are the following:

• the presence of a constant source of food - an animal or a person;
• high air temperature and humidity of at least 50-60%;
• darkness.

Insects do not live permanently on the body of their victims, but choose habitats in close proximity to them.

For example, in nature they settle near bird nests, inside burrows, etc. In relation to humans, gamasids act in a similar way. In human housing, they most often live in the following shelters:

• household items made from natural materials;
• products from down and feathers;
• house plants;
• cracks in the walls and the space behind the wallpaper;
• Appliances;
• space under the window sill.

When choosing a habitat, ticks are guided by their preferences: it should be dark, humid and warm. In order not to spend a lot of time moving to the victim, most likely they will choose a place near the bed, sofa or chair - where the person spends a lot of time. If there are pets in the house, ticks can settle near their beds, scratching posts, etc.

What harm do gamasid mites cause to humans?

Pest bites cause severe itching and can cause an allergic reaction. With multiple bites, a person can develop dermatitis, which has the scientific name "gamazoidosis". In addition, gamasids carry the following infectious diseases:

• erysipiloid;
• borreliosis;
• ornithosis;
• Q fever.

How to treat bites

In most people, single bites do not require special treatment. However, with multiple skin lesions, dermatitis develops, which does not go away on its own. If you have skin problems, you should consult a therapist or dermatologist, if necessary, a referral to a dermatovenerological dispensary will be issued for testing and prescribing suitable treatment.

For animals, a suitable drug will help you choose a veterinarian. For treatment, drops, emulsions, shampoos and other means are used.

Gamasid mites and measures to combat them

There are not many special means to deal with this particular type of tick. To destroy gamasids, universal insecticidal preparations are most often used, but it is almost impossible to destroy the entire colony.

Room processing procedure

If gamazoid mites are found in the house and the residents show signs of dermatitis, first of all, it is necessary to repair all cracks and crevices near the pipe entrance, under the window sills, it is advisable to do this with cement.

If there are pets in the house, it is necessary to thoroughly treat their bedding, and also to destroy parasites or their hair with the help of special acaricidal shampoos, sprays, drops and other proven means.

preventive measures

It is quite difficult to get rid of gamasids, it is much easier to prevent their appearance by observing preventive measures:

• prevent penetration into household and residential premises of rodents;
• regularly treat pets with special flea shampoos;
• maintain the cleanliness of the living quarters and places of play and recreation for pets;
• carry out regular preventive treatment of the chicken coop with special acaricidal agents.