Nearly Invisible Biting Mites Invade Midwest:
Here's What You Need to Know and Do
by www.SixWise.com
Bed bugs and mosquitoes
move over; there's a new menace that's causing Chicago-area
residents to itch all over, and they didn't even see it coming.
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If you live in the Northern part of Illinois, health
officials are recommending wearing long sleeves outdoors,
and showering and washing your clothing after coming
outside, to prevent getting bitten by the mysterious
mite.
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The oak leaf gall mite, an invisible invasive mite that probably
came over from Europe, is being blamed for an outbreak of
mysterious, itchy rashes in northern Illinois. Though it has
yet to be confirmed -- the gall mite is so small that it can
catch a ride on the back of a flying insect or just be blown
around in the wind -- investigators say the rash has all the
characteristic signs.
The Oak Leaf Gall Mite Has Struck Before
First, mysterious insect bites appeared in northern Kansas
in 1994. Then, a decade later in 2004, an outbreak of rashes
showed up seemingly out of nowhere in eastern Kansas and Nebraska.
The oak leaf gall mite was the likely culprit in all the cases,
and reports of similar outbreaks have occurred in Missouri,
Oklahoma, central Texas and western Kentucky, as well.
Though they typically feed on larvae in oak trees, the mite
will bite humans it falls upon if food is scarce. The mites'
saliva contains a neurotoxin that can kill small insects and
caterpillars, and in humans produces extreme itching and a
red, splotchy rash anywhere from 10 to 16 hours after being
bitten. The bites themselves are painless, and you won't even
know you were bitten.
The rash, which can last for days, is most likely to show
up on your neck, arms, back and any other exposed skin areas.
The Mites are More Annoying Than They are Dangerous
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Hundreds of cases of strange rashes have been reported in
the Chicago-area since August 1, 2007. Health officials do
have a word of good news for those affected (or worried about
it): the mites are more of a nuisance than a health threat.
Although getting bitten by the mites is very irritating,
it is not dangerous to your health. Those who have been bitten,
though, should not scratch the bites, as it could cause an
infection, health officials say. Simply treating the rash
with an anti-itch cream, such as Quret
Drawing Salve, should help to provide relief.
As it stands, little is known about the oak leaf gall mite,
its eating habits or why outbreaks seem to appear -- and disappear
-- out of nowhere. Researchers also don't know whether they're
spreading, and attempts to catch the invisible creatures using
sticky traps have been, so far, unsuccessful.
For now, if you live in an affected area, or just want to
be extra-cautious, you can protect yourself by wearing long
sleeves when you're outside, and showering and washing your
clothing when you come in.
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Enjoy the late days of summer with your family without
insect pests by misting the area with Flea
'n Tick B Gone before you go outside.
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Another excellent option is Flea
'n Tick B Gone, an all-natural, completely non-toxic insect
repellant. Flea 'n Tick B Gone is an enzyme-based formula
made naturally from plant resources, so it's entirely free
of pesticides. Best of all, if you lightly mist your backyard,
it will keep the area free of fleas, ticks, ants, spiders,
flies, bees and more for at least three hours!
So feel free to enjoy the rest of your late summer days and
nights in the great outdoors, just throw on a light long-sleeved
shirt or spray the area with Flea 'n Tick B Gone -- especially
if you're near a wooded area.
Experts agree that this irritating mite is probably making
its first appearance in the Chicago area, but they're fairly
certain it won't be its last.
Recommended Reading
The
Potential Dangers of Fecal and Other Contamination From Pets
in Your Home
Bugs
that Bite: Interesting Facts & Necessary Precautions on
the Insects That Crave You
Sources
ChicagoTribune.com
August 15, 2007
ABC
News August 16, 2007