Usually oak mites are not a problem for people until the fall after a cool down from summer, however experts in the metro say the mild winter is drawing the pesky creatures out of hibernation earlier than expected.
"Unfortunately when we had this mild winter, that never really made those mites go fully dormant. They really didn't burrow in that deeply, not leaf debris and then when we had those warm winter days and had people raking leaves, cleaning up for spring and they were handling all of those leaves then we had a lot of reports of people getting bit," said Johnson County and K-State Research and Extension Agent Dennis Patton.
Patton said there is very little research on oak mites and their feeding habits. He said the fear is if oak mites are already out this early in the season it could mean the problem will get worse this fall.
However, there is no way of knowing for sure.
"There's so many summer factors: temperatures, weather, humidity, rainfall. It's going to affect how much this mite reproduces so to stand here today and say we are going to have another severe outbreak like last year is next to impossible,” said Patton.
Here is how you can prevent yourself from being bit by an oak mite:
- Wear long sleeves
- Spray bug repellant on yourself
- Limit amount of time spent outside
- Shower once you get inside
Patton said there is no way to spray for the bugs because they can hide within the ridges of oak trees.
If you do get a rash from being bit, there is unfortunately no cure to stop the rash. Patton said to use over the counter ointments to try and relieve the itch. Also, try your best not to itch the rash to prevent it from spreading or even getting infected.
Even if you do not have an oak tree in your yard, you should still take caution.
"This is a completely windblown insect and that is another very key point to this. It's just the luck of the draw. We just happen to be out into nature and they are just blowing through the wind and they land on us and their natural instinct is to feed and reproduce,” said Patton.
