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Let’s talk about something that’ll make your skin crawl—rat mites. If you live in Bradenton, FL and suddenly you’re waking up with mystery bites, feeling itchy in your own house, and questioning your entire life—there’s a chance tiny bloodsucking squatters are crawling around, looking for their next meal. Oh, and if you recently kicked rats out of your attic, congrats! You might’ve just invited their microscopic hitchhikers in.
Key Takeaways
- If you’ve had rats in your Bradenton home, rat mites are likely close behind.
- These mites bite humans and pets when their rodent hosts are gone.
- Bites are itchy, red welts, often mistaken for bed bugs or fleas.
- Rat mites don’t live on people, but they do crawl into beds, couches, and walls looking for blood.
- Getting rid of them means eliminating the rodents first, then cleaning and treating your home.
- Bradenton’s climate makes this a year-round issue, not just a seasonal one.
- If you’re itchy and losing sleep, it’s time to clean, seal, and call in pest control backup.
The One Thing You Actually Need to Know Right Now
If you’ve had a rat issue recently—or you’re in the middle of one—and now you’re getting itchy, random bites that feel like they came from invisible bugs, you probably have rat mites. They’re real, they’re tiny, they bite like hell, and they do not care if you’ve already dealt with the rodents. They’ll just move on to you.
What Even Are Rat Mites?
Rat mites are tiny, spider-like parasites that feast on rats (because of course rats need their own parasites, too). These little vampires are under 1.5mm long—so yeah, basically invisible—and they usually live in rat nests. But once their host is dead or gone, they start crawling through your home like it’s a late-night buffet.
Here’s the fun part: They can survive for weeks without feeding, and they’re not picky. They’ll happily bite humans, pets, or anything warm-blooded that looks bite-able. In Bradenton’s warm, humid climate, they’re not just surviving—they’re thriving.
How Rat Mites Invade Your Bradenton Home
It usually starts with rats. Roof rats love to hang out in attics across Bradenton, and where there are rats, there are rat mites just chilling in the insulation, floorboards, and walls. Once the rats get evicted—by traps, poison, or a pest control pro—their mites get real desperate and start crawling through the walls, ceilings, vents, and baseboards in search of blood.
If you’re lying in bed and feel a little pinch… yeah, that’s probably a rat mite. They bite mostly at night, and no, they don’t stay on your body. They just suck your blood and dip. Rude.
So… Are They Dangerous?
Short answer: annoying as hell, but rarely dangerous.
Rat mite bites are super itchy, usually appear as little red welts, and can drive you up the wall. They don’t live on your skin like scabies, and they don’t carry the plague like fleas (silver lining!). But they can cause a lot of skin irritation, insomnia, and straight-up rage. Scratching too much can lead to infection, and some people get allergic reactions. Oh—and did we mention the psychological toll of not being able to see what’s biting you? Good luck sleeping.
There is a disease called rickettsialpox that’s linked to one species of rodent mite (usually tied to house mice), but it’s rare and hasn’t made headlines in Bradenton. The tropical rat mites we see here mostly just bring misery, not illness.
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Request a QuoteRat Mites vs. Other Nightmare Creatures (aka Bed Bugs and Fleas)
Think it’s bed bugs? Or fleas? Fair question.
Here’s a cheat sheet:
| Pest | Size | Can You See It? | Bites You? | Stays on You? | Common in Bradenton? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat Mites | Tiny (0.7–1.4mm) | Barely | Yes | Nope | Yes |
| Bed Bugs | Bigger (~5mm) | Yes | Yes | Nope | Also yes |
| Fleas | Small (~2.5mm) | Kinda | Yes | Usually stays on pets | Oh yes |
If it’s random, itchy bites at night and no signs of fleas or bed bugs, and you’ve had rats around… it’s probably rat mites.
How to Spot the Little Jerks
- Mysterious red welts—especially in clusters or random spots
- No signs of fleas or bed bugs
- Rodents in the attic, walls, or garage recently
- Tiny red or white dots crawling on the walls or bedding (get a flashlight and good luck catching them)
Want confirmation? Stick some clear tape or glue traps along baseboards, under beds, or around outlets. You might catch a few, which is both validating and disgusting.
Getting Rid of Rat Mites Without Losing Your Mind
Here’s what actually works:
1. Get Rid of the Rats
Yes, even if you think they’re gone. Any old nests or bodies lying around? You’re just feeding the mites. Hire someone if you need to.
2. Clean Like You’re Hosting Royalty
Vacuum everything—carpets, baseboards, furniture, your soul. Empty the vacuum outside immediately. Wash all linens in hot water and dry on high heat.
3. Seal Up Your House
Close up every rat-sized gap around your home. Think quarter-inch holes around pipes, vents, rooflines—seal them all. Don’t give rats a second chance.
4. Use the Right Sprays and Dusts
Residual insecticides in baseboards, wall voids, and cracks can help. Diatomaceous earth or silica dust? Also solid options for killing stragglers. Leave the heavy-duty chemicals to licensed pros. Florida law isn’t big on DIY fumigation, and your neighbors probably aren’t either.
5. Call Pest Control if You’re Losing It
Seriously—don’t suffer in silence. Local pest pros in Bradenton deal with this all the time. They can treat attics, walls, and crawlspaces where you can’t safely go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do rat mites live on humans?
Nope. They bite, suck, and peace out. They’re not interested in hanging around on your body like lice or scabies.
How long do they survive without rats?
Way too long. Weeks, sometimes longer—especially in humid places like Bradenton.
Can they infest my bed or furniture?
They don’t live in your mattress like bed bugs, but they will crawl onto furniture to bite you if they’re desperate. Gross, we know.
Can I use flea spray on rat mites?
Not really. Use something labeled for mites or “crawling insects” indoors. Flea sprays don’t always cut it.
Should I bug bomb my house?
You can, but it might not be enough. Rat mites hide in cracks, and foggers don’t reach there. Plus, they don’t keep killing after they settle. It’s a quick fix, not a full solution.
Are they dangerous for my pets?
Not long-term. They might bite pets the same way they bite you, but they don’t live on them. If your pet is scratching a lot, check with your vet.
Do I need to fumigate my home?
Not usually. If you kick out the rats and clean thoroughly, plus treat the home, the mites die off pretty fast.
