Knowledgebase

rat mites #923356

Asked January 06, 2026, 6:31 AM EST

What is the life cycle of rat mites? How long do they live? How does one get rid of them if they infest one's house?

Yamhill County Oregon

Expert Response

A couple of questions:

Is this a pet rat or a rat pest in house?

How did you ID it to be a mite?

How long have you had this problem?

Where did you find the ‘mites’?

Let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for contacting us at Ask Extension. Rich

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 08, 2026, 4:19 PM EST
The rats were underneath the condo in a crawl space and migrated to the living space.  They were identified by Orkin pest control company inspector.  The inspector didn't communicate the problem to the technicians who treated for fleas.  Two cats live in this condo besides one homeowner.  They were all being bitten even after three treatments when Western Exterminators told her the treatments for fleas didn't kill mites.  Western administered a heat treatment which is supposed to kill the mites.  
The homeowner is selling her condo after this experience which has been frustrating beyond belief.  She isolated herself because she was taking them places and the mites would leave her clothes.  This is why I needed advice.
 
She took the mites to our church and we don't know if we need to do the heat treatment in the rooms she occupied for several days (she is our priest). That is why I asked about the life cycle of rat mites (rats were trapped under the condo).  Do we need to heat treat the church rooms at an unexpected expense to the church?
On 01/08/2026 1:19 PM PST Ask Extension wrote:
 
 
The Question Asker Replied January 08, 2026, 7:50 PM EST

Now that I have a clearer picture of the problem I have more questions:

  • Where in Oregon do you live?
  • We need to get an ID as you have experienced that when the wrong ID or not using the ‘right’ treatment(s) will make the problem more difficult to resolve.
  • There are dozens of different mites found on small animals. Treatment can be different depending on the pest.
  • Do you have any samples of the ‘mites’?
  • Any pictures that can show the size?
  • Has the ‘mites’ been found on the rats, are they dying?
  • I believe that the pest may not be a mite. Others to consider are lice that is one more reason to have a valid ID.

I will collaborate with you, and I will have more questions, but this is the way to resolve the situation.

Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 09, 2026, 1:01 PM EST
The condo is in McMinnville, Yamhill Co.
The owner used tape to "capture" the mites.  She showed the inspector who made the identification.
The mites' size was from microscopic to visibly tiny.
I'll ask the owner if she has pictures of the tape she showed the inspector.
On 01/09/2026 10:01 AM PST Ask Extension wrote:
 
 
The Question Asker Replied January 09, 2026, 1:20 PM EST

Just some additional thoughts I wanted to share with you:

Regardless of what the ID is, the key to resolving this pest problem is you must get control of the rats. What is being done to control the rats? Also, while the rats are under going control measures you need to be careful that you do not force the mites, lice or whatever they are to leave the dead rats looking for a new host (human).

If you do not have samples, it will be extremely helpful to get some specimen to verify the ID.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 10, 2026, 1:33 PM EST

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