| A microscopic mite, Pyemotes herfsi --
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| | days, Pyemotes mites can number in the
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| aptly called an "itch mite"-- is
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| | millions in a short period of time.
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| responsible for the mysterious, itchy red
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| | There is no pain when these mites bite.
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| bites recently reported by a number of
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| | In fact, most people are unaware that
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| Midwest state residents.
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| | they have been bitten until the next day,
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| The microscopic itch mites prey on small
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| | when quarter-size reddened welts appear
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| fly maggots which cause "leaf edge" galls
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| | with a pimple on their center. The bites
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| on pin oak leaves. The galls on pin oak
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| | are most commonly distributed over the
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| leaves have been unusually abundant in
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| | neck and shoulders and on the upper torso
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| recent years. When the maggots mature,
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| | where clothing hangs loosely. They appear
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| they emerge from the galls, drop to the
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| | after people have been involved in
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| ground and pupate for the winter.
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| | outdoor activities.
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| When numbers of the gall gnat larvae
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| | "The bites we are seeing do not pose a
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| decline, either through predation or by
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| | major health threat - they mostly cause
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| evacuation from their galls, the hungry
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| | an annoying, intense itch," Dr. Eric
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| itch mites crawl about on foliage or bail
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| | Whitaker, director of the state public
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| out of the trees into wind currents to
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| | health department, said in a statement.
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| find other suitable hosts.
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| | "Do not scratch the bites, however, or
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| Preliminary research indicates that
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| | you could cause an infection, which would
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| 16,000 adult female itch mites (potential
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| | create other health problems.
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| biters) can emerge from one infected oak
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| | Entomologists at Kansas State University
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| leaf and fall to the ground.
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| | reported bites on dogs and cats as well
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| Entomologists estimate there are most
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| | as on humans during outbreaks.
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| likely millions of mites floating down
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| | Some bite sufferers find their own way of
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| from affected oak trees.
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| | dealing with the outbreak including
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| The mites inject a highly-potent
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| | over-the-counter remedies and chemicals.
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| neurotoxic venom into their insect prey
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| | Various state officials have recommended
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| through their needle-like mouthparts and
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| | antihistamines and lotions. With the
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| voraciously consume their prey.
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| | growing concern over the earth and
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| Adult females are unique among living
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| | holistic health, may others are seeking
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| animals in that they deposit their eggs
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| | all natural remedies including new
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| into a pouch, or ovisac, formed at the
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| | electrolyzed oxidizing water technology
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| tip of their abdomens. A mated female
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| | for healing.
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| attaches to an insect host and enlarges
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| | This problem is not just restricted to
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| to 1/16 inch -- about BB size. The female
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| | Chicago. Any Midwest state with pin oak
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| nurtures her brood directly from the egg
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| | trees can suffer from these outbreaks.
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| stage to adulthood (no nymphal stages).
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| | Past states have included Kansas,
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| As many as 300 mites can develop within
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| | Missouri, Nebraska and Texas. Itch mite
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| the female's enlarged abdomen!
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| | season runs from now through November.
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| With a population doubling time of two
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