How to Treat Rat Mites
To eliminate rat mites, you first need to eliminate the rats. After that, you need to treat any rat mites that may be in your home.
Please note that you may not always have rats. Rat mites can also be carried in by mice. Sometimes you can bring the mites into your home if you get a new pet, like a hamster, mouse, rat, or some other rodent.
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If you have a pet rodent, then make sure you clean the cage well and treat your pet. It is best to consult a veterinarian before treating your pet. This may require prescription medication.
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To eliminate rats, please read my written treatment plan for rats: Written treatment plan for rats
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To eliminate mice, please watch my video on how to eliminate mice: Video on how to eliminate mice
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If you cannot find the exterior entry points where rats or mice are getting into your home, then please read my written instructions on how to do it: Written instructions on how to find mouse and rat entry points
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Inside Treatment for Rat Mites
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Vacuum thoroughly: Focus on baseboards, furniture seams, and cracks and crevices. Dispose of vacuum contents outside immediately. If you have a vacuum with a reusable canister, then wash it out outside.
Next, mix 3.2 ounces (94.6 milliliters) of Flex 10-10, with a gallon of water (3.8 liters) in a pump-up garden sprayer, and add 0.4 ounces (12 milliliters) of NyGuard IGR, then lightly spray areas where there may be activity. This would include mattresses, furniture, carpeting, baseboards, around vents, and shelving. Don't forget to treat under all furniture, including the beds. Do not soak mattresses and furniture. A light spray is all you need. Don't forget to wear gloves, eye protection, and a respirator. Everything will be safe for use after it dries but keep people and pets away from the treated areas until everything is dry.
Repeat this treatment every 7 days for at least 3 cycles to catch newly hatched mites. So, this would be a 21-day treatment plan.
If you have infested items, such as pillows, bedding, curtains, clothing, and that sort of thing, wash them and put them in the dryer on high heat for about 2 hours. You want these items to be hot to the touch before taking them out of the dryer. If your dryer is not hot enough, then go to a laundromat. You can also bag those items and place them in the freezer for about 7 days. The temperature in the freezer must be at least 0°F (7.78°C).
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If you have been getting bitten in bed, then consider encasing mattresses and boxsprings in mite-proof covers after treatment of the mattresses. Make sure the mattresses are dry before bagging them. Also, you need to treat all the bed framing by vacuuming and applying the mixture of Flex 10-10 and NyGuard IGR. Place sticky traps under all the legs of the bed.
Also, use sticky traps to monitor activity.
Do not use foggers because they cannot get into cracks and voids where rat mites like to hide and breed.​​​​
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Flex 10-10: Flex 10-10 Insecticide | Indoor and Outdoor Insect Killer
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NyGuard IGR: Nyguard Insect Growth Regulator
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Sticky traps: Amazon.com: Harris Bed Bug Early Detection Glue Traps (4/Pack)
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Mattress covers (Select the correct size): Amazon.com: Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement Queen, 100% Waterproof Bed Bug and Dust Mite Proof Mattress Protector, Absorbent Six-Sided Mattress Cover : Home & Kitchen