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    mitzipars's Avatar
    mitzipars Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #1

    Oct 24, 2010, 05:12 PM
    Invisible bites - Does anyone know how to rid Black Pepper mites?
    I have read the invisible bite stories with no solutions. However, I do believe I know what is biting me (not my Mother) and sometimes my husband.

    I rid our home of a fruit rat (live in Florida) that had made his/her way into my attic. It was around this time a little bit later that I noticed I was a meal for something and it was leaving bites all over my body. I also noticed there is a foul odor when you come upon them and they are "jumping you". Also, I started seeing these little black/brown dots and orange dots and little specks.

    FINALLY, my husband and I put it all together (AFTER he saw the DOTS move and saw it was many of something) and started searching the internet to see if that rat being gone had anything to do with it. Well it appears so. That was their host. They don't leave the nest unless they lose their host. They have invaded me and my animals and my home! I am the only one that smells them.

    These things love hair! I am still PRAYING DAILY and using a natural flea spray that seems to jar them but doesn't stop new ones from hatching. I am still searching for something that will kill these things once and for all so I can return to a normal life.

    Right now I cannot sleep in my room. I have to wash clothes daily, spray daily, vacuum, wash down sinks and counters and drawers.

    If anyone has found a way to rid these once and for all, please give me the secret? I have no way of finding the nest in the attic due to insulation and it would be impossible. Not to mention, I have to kill what is in the house and hatching.

    Thanks!
    turr8403's Avatar
    turr8403 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #2

    Oct 25, 2010, 10:02 AM
    I have read that spraying with a 50% solution of vinegar and water, with a lot of salt helps to kill them. Also, bathing/soaking in the tub with vinegar and salt will get them off your body. Good luck
    Cat1864's Avatar
    Cat1864 Posts: 8,007, Reputation: 3687
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    #3

    Oct 25, 2010, 10:26 AM

    This site has several 'strategies' that you might try. Bird Mite Treatment Strategies For The Home

    One of the major helps to getting rid of any infestation is to find where they are hiding and take care of those places.

    I highly recommend contacting a pest control company (maybe even a couple of them) in your area that knows about mites. Many give free inspections and plans on how they would handle the problem. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
    mitzipars's Avatar
    mitzipars Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #4

    Oct 25, 2010, 02:24 PM
    I have found soap and water take care of your body as well as counters, sink... etc. I need to rid them from my home. I haven't tried fogging but read it doesn't work. Which I don't understand why not.

    Thank you for sharing your info.

    mitzipars's Avatar
    mitzipars Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #5

    Oct 25, 2010, 02:28 PM
    I have found that the pest control company don't even know what you are talking about. I had mine come out and bomb my attic. But they were clueless on the pepper mites. I called my old one... same.

    Thanks though Cat. Trust me I've been down the road of what SHOULD be an answer and it is frustrating when Pest Control companies are stumped or tell you good luck finding the nest in insulation. They leave you feeling helpless/hopeless. I KNOW that is ridiculous. People HAVE to have a way to rid these things.
    ropedaddy's Avatar
    ropedaddy Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Nov 22, 2010, 11:39 AM
    Any success? I have been fighting these mites without success for 6 months. It is driving me nuts and screwing up my sleep.
    mitzipars's Avatar
    mitzipars Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #7

    Nov 22, 2010, 09:06 PM
    Comment on ropedaddy's post
    Try finding DeFlea for pets and bedding (natural). I spray covered bed bug pillow cases and have a mattress cover. I wash every day all clothes as I take them off. I wipe down all areas in kitchen and bathroom (flushing and rinsing). Mop and vac.
    mitzipars's Avatar
    mitzipars Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #8

    Nov 22, 2010, 09:09 PM
    Comment on ropedaddy's post
    It's important to stay on top of it. I have found it will affect your respitory too. Put the clothes (night ones too and towels) in plastic bag until you wash. Wipe kitchen counters and items you use and flush and rinse down the drain.
    jenfr's Avatar
    jenfr Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Jan 19, 2011, 03:07 AM
    We have the same thing-going on 10 months now. Bathe in borax,sea slat,and apple cider vineagar( and/or arm&hammer powdered detergent and lemon bleach(1 cup each per bath).soak as long as possible then rinse off in shower(final rinse as cold as possible). Cold water opens the pores and makes them come out. The more you can do this and wipe them off the faster they will go away! Flea sprays do help a bit. Windex (blue liquid w/ammonia)does seem to stun them or kill some of them! Gold bonds lotion(green bottle) hellps and neem oil mixed w/any lotion. They seem to "live under the skin" in ears,nasal,vaginally etc. They come in and out of the skin?? You can feel them crawling yet, no bug just a little black dot?? My 6 yr old son and I have gotten rid of them a few times yet keep getting reinfested? Hey live on surfaces such as rugs,computers, etc. For at least 10 months? Sulfer bar soap is a necessity this does kill hese things but, key is to directly get these products on the bugs. Head &shoulder's shampoo which can also be used as a body wash helps... I do clean everything w/bleach&borax and hot as you can water... These things are very smart mites that's for sure. They hear water running and even before you get into the shower-they are running for cover??
    mitzipars's Avatar
    mitzipars Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #10

    Mar 26, 2011, 02:41 AM
    I am finding Boric Acid to be doing "something"!
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    risnerjasmine Posts: 1, Reputation: 2
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    #11

    Jun 27, 2011, 09:42 PM
    I have had the same problem for 3 years living in different home moving left and right. Windex does stun or kill some.I used hot water and borax. I can't sleep they attack me and I clean and dust everywere. I am excpecting a baby in sept and I need to get rid of them fast. I wish someone like the health department would help. The mites don't help with my asthma either. Well just thought I would let you know my story.thanks Jasmine
    mitzipars's Avatar
    mitzipars Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #12

    Jul 9, 2011, 06:05 AM
    Comment on jenfr's post
    It does seem they run for cover the minute you put your hand toward the faucet. Haven't tried neem oil but can see how that would work. I use tea tree oil medicated spray. I actually have it mailed to me from the manufacturer. This stuff is awesome for those sores. It dries them up almost immediately. They do get in your system. My poor little dogs and cat I have had to use on the a big secret that goes "centuries" back called sweet oil. It is VERY cheap and is in stores usually near products to treat ear infections and such. Also, only found ONE product that gets them "on contact" for the pets called "DeFlea". You have to be sure to buy the right one and be very careful if you use on pets. As you are killing these the things are biting and trying to burrow further and is painful to the pet. So it takes TLC with a pet. You'll actually see the pink on the skin where they were biting and fighting to stay. Hope this helps you as well.
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    cupcake2012 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #13

    Nov 9, 2011, 07:33 AM
    I have just come from a DR's visit who thinks I am imagining this... and I was warned ahead of time by others online that would happen. She also said not to believe everything I read online. So far I have learned from others... it could have come from a petting zoo, where I walked through many types of animal feces, including cows, chickens, goats, sheep and pigs. About a week after I noticed the itching. But I also have read there are troubles with imported clothing and buying things second hand. At the same time I have been cleaning boxes of things out of my house that have been in the back of storage for years... so who knows where the problem originated. I suspect the animals. The most effective things I have tried are bleaching everything, then hosing everything down with windex. I have to put clean clothes in dryer for 30 minutes and then steam iron prior to wearing. My head is coated with mineral oil and tea tree oil. I use dandruff shampoo in my hair and as a body wash, along with carbolic acid soap, finishing with sandalwood soap. I have recently learned they do not like strong perfum so have been spraying myself and head every night with.. strong perfume. Also at night I coat inside my nose with mineral oil, tea tree oil and then vaseline. Do same with ears. Use queen helene green face mask often.. you will feel a stinging sensation but the bugs are suffocating. I spray my car with windex and have placed strong incense sticks on the floor boards. These things all seem to help... but not a cure. Have just ordered permethein cream, sulfur soap, cream and shampoo along with Kleen Enzyme which has great reviews. When in shower I use a rough kitchen scubber and scrub skin hard. Also... shop vac as much dust as possible and mop with windex. Am working on getting a dehumidifier as dry air is unacceptable to these critters. I tried eating garlic but it did not work for me, worked for others. I see dead flying insects in the toilet bowl and brought qtips with bugs from my ears to DR but she still said she did not see anything, if you do go to a DR, do NOT tell them your suspicions, just show them rashes and bite marks and ask them what it is. Otherwise they will be sending you a shrink or they will just ignore you. Be relentless and just keep reading what everyone has done. BTW, the DR told me I had high blood pressure... I said "seriously?" I know it is high from this infestation issue and once it is gone it will go away.
    Birdmiteext's Avatar
    Birdmiteext Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #14

    Dec 22, 2011, 06:28 PM
    I am going to tell you now that you have a long road ahead of you. Usually by the time people start searching on internet for this it's far too late and these things have reached epidemic proportions. The easiest way to get rid of them is to throw away the infested items and cut your losses up front (be honest with yourself about what is infested, if it is your favorite pair of shoes so be it—toss them) but again by the time you figure out what's biting you the infestation has spread to far and since you can't see these things easily you're taking shots in the dark. Understand that there are no solutions that are going to offer you a 100% kill rate. When you are talking about a pest that could number in the thousands even a 90%is problematic. Also most DR's and pest control companies are totally clueless about this so don't waste your time and money. A COMBINATION OF PHYSICALLY REMOVING THEM AND KNOCKING DOWN THE POPULATION WITH THE RIGHT PESTICIDES IS THE SOLUTION (assuming you found the source of the infestation, if they are big enough for you to see you're not the only host in town btw). If you start randomly spraying insectides it will irritate them and they will bite you more or it will just disperse your problem as they will run for cover. The only insectide I would recommend is Onslaught with an IGR (google it). Bifen also works, but read the label and uses carefully. Windex is one cheap option that will give you some relief but you have to buy a garden sprayer and the large gallon size of windex and nuke the place. Steri-Fab is extremely effective for killing them but it is a contact killer so you need to know where they are hiding. As for cleaning expect to be cleaning your house a minimum of 2 times a day from top to bottom. I would recommend 3 one in the morning, one when you get home and one before you go to bed. I would stagger them out I would make the morning a wet cleaning where your mopping and shampooing, the afternoon a dry cleaning where your vacuuming then I would vacuum and do the details in the evening (meaning scrubbing all corners and small areas). For your evening cleaning consider spraying windex throughout the house. It sound like a lot of work but the good news if you do this for a week you can should be able to get them to “manageable” meaning that you will have bites here and there but they are not totally ruining your life. The bad news is that if you do everything right from day one it is still going to take a couple months to totally rid yourself of this nightmare. As things get better you can work that down to 1 massive cleaning every couple days.
    You're going to have to make some really tough decisions when it comes to clothing especially shoes. By the time you get done washing the clothes over and over and over again and considering the risk you have of spreading these all over the places you wear those clothes its better just to throw the clothes out. THE DRYER WILL NOT KILL THESE THINGS. It is not even worth the electricy you will use to try. I would let stuff dry on a hanger outside in there natural environment for at least 14 days minimum and spray an irritant on the clothes everydays so they jump ship and look for other hosts outside.

    Don't even think about wearing any sneakers or shoes inside (leave them outside). They love to grab hold of those. Your scent and sweat is inside of that shoe so they will camp out there. Your shoes for all intents and purposes once infested are pretty much ruined. Consider flip flops, or ugs for in the house. Neoprene socks can be worn to alleviate the biting in your shoes during the day.
    Sleeping is where it gets tricky because you can't SLEEP IN ANY COTTONS otherwise they will multiply over night. I would where sports shorts and wear a swim cap to bed. If they get in your hair you are going to have some serious problems getting them out. There is about 50 other things that I could list that work (like what to do about carpets, the car, work, furniture) but I would be writing a novel and this is off the top of my head as thing that work.
    MGhope's Avatar
    MGhope Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #15

    Feb 23, 2012, 02:30 PM
    I am using Benzoyl Peroxide (in some acne creams) all over my body (have around 150 bites right now)and it seems to be drying them out and killing the eggs. I read that washing with Listerine and cleaning everything with Windex will help so am trying that right now. I have an ozone generator on order as I hear that can get rid of mites. I'm washing aeverything I wear each day and all my bedding in borax and hot water, got allergy pillow covers, and shower every night before bed. I have had an infestation for 3 months and have temporarily moved out of the house for the past 3 weeks. Just had an exterminator in to kill rats and hoping that will help. It's crazy making- invisible things crawling all over me, especially at night but during the day, too, invading ever nook and cranny of my body. They don't go after anyone else in the family- just me.

    It's good to hear from others going through this nightmare. We need to encourage each other. It can get depressing and extremely frustrating dealing with an invisible enemy that everyone thinks is in your head!
    Nasty mites's Avatar
    Nasty mites Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #16

    Mar 22, 2012, 12:20 AM
    I am going through the same thing... found an abandoned bird nest in my bathroom vent, another on the outside of my house. Haven't had the attic inspected yet. I've tried everything from getting rid of my bed, wrapping my new mattress in plastic, my home of my bed, most aupholstry,furniture, appliances, cleaning daily... the thing that saved me... cedar oil, Dr. Ben's Evictor and yard guard, and I purchased the fogger. I have pets and will not use chemicals. I love this stuff. I also use the fogger to spray vinegar. I live near a wetland and the trees are rotting, and I believe invested with spider mites, bird mites and other parasitic mites. The cedar oil really seams to help. Also, my home needs maintenance, some rotting cedar boards and some rotting on the decks. Any decaying wood needs to be replaced. Also, clean gutters! I put vinegar and baking soda in those too. And I suppose I need a new roof. The mites are only there because the environment for them to thrive is there.. and they are just doing what they are supposed to do. Lastly, lots of fungus around my house this year... the mites eat fungus and decaying leaves. They are coming from the outside as well. Don't go overboard with chemicals. Clean up all debri... vinegar and baking soda work well too, but I love the Dr. Ben's evictor.
    Nasty mites's Avatar
    Nasty mites Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #17

    Mar 22, 2012, 12:24 AM
    I see someone mentioned an ozanator. I've used that too... really works. That's next on my list to purcahse since I borrowed one several times. Again, my problem is not just the interior, coming from the exterior. Decaying trees and oversaturated ground... I live near a wet land and the area has been overbuilt. The environment is out of balance. I have mold and fungus spores coming into the house too from the wetland/swamp adjacent to me. I really feel sorry for the birds and other creatures that can't do anything about it. So, please sensative to the exterior environment too. I'm trying very hard to cure my home issue without upsetting the balance more.
    Nasty mites's Avatar
    Nasty mites Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #18

    Mar 22, 2012, 12:32 AM
    Just one more thing... if your PH is out of balance, acidic body, they will be attracted to you. Also, EMF.. electric magnetic force from TV's, computers, lights, cell phones... use a wind up clock in your room, don't have bright lights at night... I don't have a TV anymore and use salt lamps by my computer. Salt lamps help ionize the air. I have all amber lights now. I notice when I have white lights on, bugs are attracted to my windows and the house. I use yellow bug lights outside. Another thing I noticed... bugs are increasing because the bats are dieying. Bats are a natural insecticide.
    Nasty mites's Avatar
    Nasty mites Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #19

    Mar 22, 2012, 12:36 AM
    Mugwort... worm wood. I read that Mugwort deters mites and fleas. Some people sleep with the herp in their pillows. I was going to try growing some in my yard as well as other herbs that deter bugs and mites. Dr. Ben's cedar oil yard guard also works for me, and non toxic. I assume, like me, that some of the problem is coming from your environment. So best to spray the inside of your house with Dr. Ben's evictor for interior before treating the exterior with yard guard.
    MGhope's Avatar
    MGhope Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #20

    Mar 22, 2012, 08:21 AM
    My experience is very similar- rat mites. I am doing the same regime. The only answer is to completely get rid of the rats, and then it takes two months after that for the mites to dissipate. The only thing, besides all the crazy laundry, cleaning and showers every day, that I have found that helps is witch hazel with lavender. I spray it on my body when I feel them crawling on me and biting and it seems to kill them and quickly heal the bites.

    Sorry you are going through this. It is crazy making. Don't give up... I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

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