Paper Mites problem? The great fictitious pest!
Paper Mite
Dos and Don?ts of the so called Paper Mites!
- First have a pest controller inspect the site to establish what actual pests are causing the biting/irritation. There are a wide range of biting insects that could be the cause of the problem.
- Workers MAY NEED to be informed that the bites are not being caused by bugs but via a combination of environmental factors. The bites are real - the bugs are not.
- Vacuum the area properly to remove fibres and particles.
- Do not apply any insecticides in the area unless pests have been found.
- Install antistatic rubber pads beneath rolling chairs. Install antistatic pads under electrical equipment.
Information about the so called Paper Mites!
Paper mites are a bit of a mystery bug, plaguing us all but only in our imaginations. ?Paper mites? are surprisingly a figment of our imaginations which makes life for pest controllers in offices a bit challenging!
These bites experienced in office environments are not imagined however. Instead they are skin irritations caused by certain environmental conditions in the office. This ?pinprick? or skin irritation certainly FEELS like a bug has bitten you and in some cases looks like it as well. But it?s usually not the case.
Basically any room which has a lot of paper can lead to this effect. This often includes computer rooms, radio rooms, telephone rooms or places with electrical equipment, fibers and static. The bites are often blamed on ?paper mites? or ?cable mites? but it?s important to emphasise that there are other reasons for these bites.
So what causes these ?bites??
Some factors to be aware of include fibres from synthetic carpets which can ?leap? onto the legs of office workers. This often feels like a pinprick or a bite and can actually puncture dry skin. Stacks of paper are also culpable as they produce paper splinters which cause this bite effect, leading to rashes or itching. Wire insulation or carbon and particle boards also produce the same effect. This is how paper mites or cable mites get their name!
Other factors include static electricity, low humidity, ventilation, indoor air pollutants and insecticide treatment. There is also the Bell?s syndrome which is the power of suggestion - when one person complains about ?paper mites? or a bite or irritation, others start to feel influenced and will also complain.
