- Author: Larry Godfrey
- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
Published on: August 12, 2013
The straw itch mite (Pyemotes ventricosus) is a predator living in oat hay fields. It is an extremely small mite (1/125 inch long), elongate, and whitish to translucent in color. It feeds on small insects and mites in the field and also continues to feed on these organisms in hay bales. This sounds very positive and beneficial, but this mite can also be a severe pest. During the “heat of the summer” every year, there are reports of bites and dermatitis associated with handling given lots of oat hay. The straw itch mite will move out of hay bales and readily bite humans and other animals. At the time of the bite, a prickling sensation may be felt with the “full force” of...
Tags: hay mites (1), straw itch mite (1)
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