Biting Mites

These micrographs of an unidentified skin parasite were taken using a Swift microscope (see below) at 10x40 magnification with a Motorola V400 camera phone. Four different specimens were taped onto separate slides, searched at 10x10, and then photographed at 10x40. (Approx 10 slides were discarded after no specimens could be located.) Curved lines around organisms are the edges of the adhesive tape bubble. Organisms may appear wider than normal, due to flattening by the tape. Most were still moving when photographed. Taped slides were wrapped in tissue, refrigerated, bagged, and placed in a freezer. Sizes were estimated from size reference plates.

Annoying, Bothersome, and Irratating Symptoms Reported by Sufferers

• Stinging bites (sometimes over entire body). Often starts in pubic area of the body.
• Crawling sensation on the skin - even the scalp.
• Described like tiny pin-pricks, stings or bites and often cannot be seen, but definitely felt.
• Symptoms worsen at night, and in some cases severe itching and biting on the skin will disturb sleep patterns.
• Described looking like flecks of black pepper. Black small things that look almost like a piece of hair. You feel something crawling on you and when you brush it away it looks like a piece of hair. But you find yourself itching.
• In some cases, they can change colors (red, green or blue - even irridescent). Some have also described a glitter like appearance.
• One or more family members are affected.
• Reports of threadlike-filament worms burrow into the skin. The filament has a hook on one end that is attached into the body and is whitish in color.
• Reports of the microscopic mites can inhabit the eyebrows, eyelashes, mouth, nose and ears.
• They seem to reproduce in cotton clothing.
• Complaints that the mites inhabit the inside of the body, and is seen in bowel movements.
• Can reproduce on inanimate objects in the home (furniture, ceiling, walls).
• Causes the person to feel fatigued, lethargic, reduced appetite, digestive problems.
• Seems to be particularly bothersome in eyelashes and eyebrows (especially at night).
• Appearance is like lint or fibers.
• Referred to as Black Pepper Mites.

Why and How Kleen Green™ Works

Insects are made up of a high concentration of protein. When Kleen Green is introduced to the insect, the enzymes act and can cause the insect to molt (shed its outer coating) prematurely. Poison pesticides attack the nervous system of the insect, which is not always effective. University research has noted that some insects have developed a resistance to poison based products. This revolutionary product is now available to the general consumer. Preformed enzymes have been used widely in restaurant and institutional settings for the last ten years, due to their low toxicity and superior cleaning properties. They are also becoming widely accepted in the field of pest cleaning as enzymes leave no toxic residues and the enzymatic effect on the insect exoskeleton is quick and safe. SAFE for Gardens, Plants, Ponds and around children and pets!

A Natural Alternative to Toxic Products

• Fast Acting
• Does Not Produce Toxic Fumes
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• More Effective and Safer than Pesticides!

For Biting Mites:

• Apply diluted Kleen Green with a misting bottle, cotton ball or your hand.
• Apply to skin morning, noon and night. Use as often as needed. Do not wash off. Skin will feel calm and clean.
• Apply at night, before bedtime, as this problem seems more pronounced at night.
• Relief can be obtained by taking a soaking enzyme bath with Kleen Green Enzymes. Simply pour 4 oz. or more (concentrated) into very warm bath water and soak approximately 20 min. Use alone - without soaps, oils other products in the bath water.
• Use as a shampoo. Apply and massage into damp hair, allow to remain for at least 5 minutes.

Other Tips Offered by Customers:

• Use 20 Mule Team Borax in your laundry.
• Microwave your clothing (especially under garments) at 15 second intervals.
• Freeze clothing and/or linens for a few days.
• Use petroleum jelly on eyelashes and eyebrows.
• Spray/apply Kleen Green to your skin daily, especially before bed time.
• Lightly mist Kleen Green to linens, allow to dry.
• Visit our Kleen Green product review page for customer testmonials

Mites Mites and More Mites

There are numerous mites that are capable of invading our homes. Mites that originate from animals can easily enter a home (due to their tiny size) through tiny entrance points around windows, doors or any other space large enough for them to squeeze through. Other mites that originate from plants do not migrate as well as other mites but they can enter our homes by hitching a ride on anyone that works in gardens, hot houses, nurseries or even children playing outdoors. Most plant mites do not bite but they can be an annoyance when their numbers are high. These mites can also cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Most mites are 1/200 to 1/25 inch long, oval, without antennae and grayish-black to red. Their mouthparts are grouped in front of the body, resembling a head. Adult mites have four pairs of legs. The follicle mite is more worm-like. Some mites appear as barely visible red and gray, slow-moving specks, while others are microscopic, requiring optical equipment for identification.

Northern Foul Mite

These mites can cause epidemics of dermatitis during harvesting and post-harvesting operations in straw, hay or certain grains. Bites produce a rash-like dermatitis, extending over much of the body and accompanied by itching, sweating, fever, headache and even vomiting in severe cases. They are beneficial because they feed on larvae of wheat jointworm, rice and granary weevils, Angoumois grain moths and other pests.

This barely visible mite completes development on the host bird (i.e., poultry, pigeons and starlings) and will leave the body of a dead host in large numbers to wander over walls, ceilings and bedding, seeking a new host. Bites can cause itching and dermatitis. This mite can survive two to three weeks away from the host.

"Bird mites" or "Tropical fowl mites" are the common names used to describe the mite Ornithonyssus bursa from the family of mites Macronyssidae; these mites are often incorrectly called ‘bird lice’, particularly within the pest control industry, and are also commonly the cause of ‘paper mite’ problems (strictly speaking there are no such things as ‘paper mites’). This species of bird mite is widely distributed throughout warmer regions of the world.

The mites are haematophagous (feed on blood) natural parasites of common birds including pigeons, starlings, sparrows, Indian mynahs, poultry, and some wild birds. Ornithonyssus bursa mites are small with eight legs, barely visible to the eye, oval in shape with a sparse covering of short hairs, and are extremely mobile. They are semi-transparent in colour which makes them difficult to detect on skin until blood is ingested and then digested - when they may appear reddish to blackish.

Contact with humans occurs after the birds gain entry through unprotected eaves, or to roof cavities via broken tiles to construct their nests in homes, factories, barns and other dwellings in early spring or summer. The large amounts of nesting material used by the birds provide the mites with an ideal environment in which to thrive. The unfeathered nestlings plus the adult birds occupying the nest are utilised as a ready blood source for the expanding population of mites. When the young birds are ready to fledge, some mites remain attached to the feathers of their bird hosts and feed intermittently. The mites remaining in the abandoned nest, and left without a suitable host when the birds leave or die, will roam and disperse throughout the dwelling over a 1-2 week period searching for new hosts. Most mites will die within 10 days without a blood meal from a bird host. They will bite but cannot survive on humans and do not infect/infest human skin.

Chicken Mite

This mite feeds on the host at night and hides in cracks and crevices during the day. It feeds on poultry, sparrows, canaries and other birds. A new generation may occur every 7 to 10 days. Bites cause itching and light dermatitis. These mites enter a house after death of the host bird or departure from the nest. They can live for a month or more without a blood meal.

Tropical Rat Mite

This mite will feed on humans even when rats are present, causing painful bites, intense itching and dermatitis. Barely visible, they are bright red to black with white markings and are usually noticed on walls in basements, kitchens, bathrooms and where rats are found. Mites drop from their host after each blood meal and can survive several days without feeding.

House Mouse Mite

This mite is found on mice and can bite humans. It will wander away from mice onto walls.

Follicle Mite

The follicle mite is more worm-like. These microscopic mites live in the hair follicles or sebaceous glands of most humans. Very few persons are allergic to them. Those who are may lose their eyelashes or develop acne.

Itch or Scabies Mite

This mite is similar to those that attack livestock, horses, dogs and rabbits. Transmission is usually by direct contact with an infested person. Itch mites tunnel into the skin, especially on hands and wrists. Nodules burst and ooze serum, later hardening to form scabs. The skin between the fingers is often invaded. Itching is intense and known as "scabies" or "seven-year itch." Scratching can cause bleeding and infection of open sores. Overlapping generations occur at two to three week intervals.

Grain and Mold Mites

These mites can be found in a wide variety of stored products and food and can cause mild dermatitis known as "grocer's itch." Heavy infestations have a sweet or minty odor. A coating of "mite dust," molted skins of the mites, covers the infested grain or cheese. Sometimes the surface of infested materials appears to move due to large numbers of mites. These mites favor damp areas. They do not bite humans.

House Dust Mite

These mites are found in mattresses, pillows and furniture containing natural fibers. They are scavengers that feed on human skin scales and other detritus but do not bite humans. About 90% of the persons allergic to house dust extracts are allergic to house dust mite extracts. Only about 10% of those not allergic to house dust extract are allergic to the dust mite extract.Over half of all homes are believed to be infested with the house dust mite.