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Scabies Quick Reference

Scientific Name	Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
Classification	Arachnid (mite), Family Sarcoptidae
Size	0.2 to 0.4 mm (smaller than a grain of sand, invisible to the naked eye)
Color	Translucent to cream-white
Lifespan	30 to 60 days on human skin; dies within 48 to 72 hours off the body
Transmission	Direct prolonged skin-to-skin contact; rarely from shared bedding or clothing
Active Season in Oklahoma	Year-round (not seasonal)
Threat Level	Medical condition requiring a doctor, not pest control
Common in OKC Metro	Yes, especially in congregate living settings
Treatment	Prescription medication (permethrin cream or oral ivermectin) from a physician

Scabies is a skin condition caused by the human itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. It is not a pest control issue. It is a medical condition that requires treatment from a doctor. However, Alpha Pest Solutions regularly receives calls from Oklahoma City metro homeowners who experience intense itching, crawling sensations, or unexplained rashes and believe they have an insect infestation in their home. We understand how distressing these symptoms are. Our job is to inspect your home thoroughly, determine whether a pest is actually present, and help you get the right answer, whether that means treatment from us or a referral to a medical professional. If you are experiencing persistent itching and no one can find a bug, you are not imagining things. Something is causing your discomfort. We are here to help you figure out what it is. Alpha Pest Solutions serves the entire OKC metro, including Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, Midwest City, Yukon, Mustang, Del City, Bethany, and Choctaw.

Identifying Scabies in Oklahoma

The scabies mite is microscopic. You cannot see it with the naked eye. An adult female measures roughly 0.3 to 0.4 mm long, about one-third the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Males are even smaller. Under magnification, the mite has a round, oval body with eight legs (it is an arachnid, not an insect) and a pale, translucent appearance. The body surface is covered with small spines and bristles that help the mite burrow into skin.

Because the mite itself is invisible without magnification, scabies is identified by its effects on the skin rather than by seeing the organism. A dermatologist can confirm scabies by performing a skin scraping and examining it under a microscope, or by using dermoscopy to visualize the mite or its burrow tracks in the upper layer of skin.

The visible signs of scabies include thin, irregular burrow tracks that look like fine pencil lines on the skin surface, a widespread rash with small red bumps (papules), intense itching that worsens at night, and sometimes small blisters or scales. The burrow tracks are the most distinctive diagnostic feature and are caused by the female mite tunneling through the top layer of skin (the stratum corneum) to lay eggs.

Scabies vs. Bed Bug Bites

This is the most common confusion we encounter. Both scabies and bed bugs cause intense itching and visible marks on the skin. However, there are key differences. Bed bug bites typically appear in linear rows or clusters of three (sometimes called “breakfast, lunch, and dinner”), usually on exposed skin such as the arms, face, neck, and shoulders. Scabies rash appears in the skin folds and creases: between the fingers, along the wrists, at the waistline, in the armpits, and around the elbows. Bed bug bites are external marks from a blood-feeding insect that lives in your mattress and furniture. Scabies is caused by a mite burrowing into the skin that lives on your body, not in your home. If you see visible insects or find dark fecal spots on your mattress seams, you likely have bed bugs. If your rash is concentrated in skin folds with no visible bugs anywhere in the home, scabies is more likely and you should see a doctor.

Scabies vs. Bird Mites

Bird mites are tiny external parasites that sometimes enter homes after birds nest in attics, soffits, or vents. Unlike scabies mites, bird mites are visible (barely) to the naked eye, appear as tiny moving dots, and do not burrow into human skin. Bird mite bites cause itching and small red marks, but the mites cannot reproduce on humans and will die within a few weeks without their bird host. A pest control inspection can confirm whether bird mites are present by examining the home for active or abandoned bird nests. If no nests or mites are found, the symptoms may have a different cause.

Scabies vs. Chigger Bites

Chiggers are common in Oklahoma from late spring through fall. Chigger bites produce intensely itchy red welts, usually around the ankles, waistline, and anywhere clothing fits tightly. The key difference is timing and duration. Chigger bites appear after spending time outdoors in tall grass or wooded areas, and the itching resolves within one to two weeks. Scabies itching is persistent, worsens over weeks, and does not resolve without medical treatment. Chiggers do not burrow into skin (despite popular belief), while scabies mites do.

Scabies vs. Flea Bites

Flea bites concentrate on the lower legs and ankles, appear as small red dots surrounded by a halo of redness, and are extremely itchy. Fleas are visible to the naked eye, jump, and can be found on pets and in carpet. If you have pets with fleas, you will usually see the fleas or find “flea dirt” (dark specks of digested blood) in pet fur. Scabies does not involve visible insects, does not concentrate on the lower legs, and spreads through prolonged skin contact with another infected person, not through pet contact.

Types of Scabies

Classic (Typical) Scabies

The most common form. A person with classic scabies typically hosts 10 to 15 mites on their entire body at any given time. Symptoms include intense itching (especially at night), a scattered rash with papules and burrow tracks, and the characteristic distribution in skin folds. Classic scabies spreads through prolonged (several minutes) skin-to-skin contact. Brief handshakes or hugs are generally not enough for transmission. Classic scabies is easily treated with prescription topical or oral medication.

Crusted (Norwegian) Scabies

Crusted scabies is a severe and highly contagious form that occurs primarily in immunocompromised individuals, elderly patients in nursing homes, and people with conditions that prevent them from scratching (such as paralysis or reduced sensation). Instead of 10 to 15 mites, a person with crusted scabies may harbor thousands to millions of mites. The skin develops thick, grayish crusts, especially on the hands, feet, and scalp. Because of the extreme mite load, crusted scabies spreads much more easily, including through brief contact and contaminated bedding or furniture. Crusted scabies requires aggressive medical treatment, often combining topical permethrin with oral ivermectin over multiple rounds. Outbreaks in Oklahoma nursing homes and long-term care facilities are occasionally linked to undiagnosed crusted scabies in a single resident.

Behavior and Biology

The scabies mite is an obligate human parasite. It cannot survive long without a human host. Once on a person, the fertilized female burrows into the outermost layer of skin using her mouthparts and specialized cutting surfaces on her front legs. She creates a tunnel just beneath the skin surface and lays two to three eggs per day as she moves forward. The burrowing and egg-laying activity, along with the body’s allergic reaction to the mite’s feces and secretions, produces the intense itching that defines scabies.

Scabies mites are most active at night, which is why itching typically intensifies after going to bed. The mites prefer areas of thin, wrinkled skin where they can burrow most easily. They avoid areas of heavy sun exposure or thick skin. The mites cannot jump or fly. They move by crawling at roughly 2.5 cm per minute on warm skin.

Off the human body, scabies mites become sluggish quickly. At typical room temperature and humidity, they survive approximately 48 to 72 hours. This is an important point for homeowners: the mites live on people, not in homes. You cannot have a “scabies infestation” in your house the way you can have a bed bug or flea infestation. The home environment plays almost no role in ongoing transmission of classic scabies.

Life Cycle and Reproduction

The scabies mite goes through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The entire cycle from egg to egg-laying adult takes approximately 10 to 17 days.

Egg: The female lays two to three eggs per day in her burrow tunnel. Eggs hatch in three to four days. A single female may lay 60 to 90 eggs over her lifetime.

Larva: After hatching, the six-legged larva emerges from the burrow and moves to the skin surface, where it creates a small molting pocket. The larval stage lasts three to four days.

Nymph: The larva molts into an eight-legged nymph, which burrows into the skin and feeds. There are two nymphal stages (protonymph and tritonymph), together lasting about three to four days.

Adult: After the final molt, adult mites mate on the skin surface. Males die shortly after mating. Fertilized females burrow into the skin and begin laying eggs, continuing the cycle. Adult females live 30 to 60 days.

The best time to treat scabies is as soon as symptoms are recognized. The longer treatment is delayed, the more mites reproduce and the harder the condition is to control, especially in household settings where close contacts also need treatment.

What Causes Scabies to Spread

Scabies is spread through prolonged, direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. The most common transmission settings include sharing a bed with an infected partner, close physical contact in families (especially between parents and young children), and prolonged hand-holding or body contact. Sexual contact is a common transmission route among adults.

Scabies is not caused by poor hygiene. Clean homes get scabies. Wealthy neighborhoods get scabies. It is an equal-opportunity condition that simply requires close human contact to spread. In Oklahoma, the factors that contribute to scabies outbreaks are the same as anywhere: crowded living conditions, congregate care settings, and delayed diagnosis leading to prolonged exposure.

For crusted scabies only, transmission can occur through contaminated bedding, furniture, and clothing because of the massive number of mites present. Classic scabies rarely spreads through objects or surfaces because so few mites are present.

Where Scabies Occurs in the OKC Metro

Scabies occurs wherever people live in close contact. In the Oklahoma City metro, the settings most associated with scabies outbreaks include nursing homes and assisted living facilities, group homes and residential care centers, college dormitories (OU in Norman, UCO in Edmond, OSU-OKC), daycare centers, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) monitors scabies outbreaks, particularly in long-term care facilities.

Individual cases occur across every part of the metro, from Nichols Hills to Del City, Yukon to Choctaw. Scabies does not discriminate by neighborhood, income level, or home type. Any family can encounter it through school exposure, healthcare work, or travel. Alpha Pest Solutions receives scabies-related calls from homeowners across the OKC metro who are experiencing unexplained itching and want their home inspected for pests.

Where Scabies Affects the Body

Scabies mites prefer specific areas of the body, which helps distinguish the condition from other causes of itching. The most common sites include:

• Between the fingers and on the sides of fingers (the single most common location)
• Wrist folds (inner wrists)
• Elbows and forearms (especially the outer elbows)
• Waistline and belt area
• Armpits
• Around the nipples (in women)
• Lower buttocks and upper thighs
• Genitalia (in men, scabies nodules on the penis are a key diagnostic sign)
• Feet (soles and between toes, especially in infants and elderly)

In adults, scabies rarely affects the face, scalp, or neck. In infants and elderly patients, the mites may be found on the head, face, palms, and soles. The distribution pattern is one of the best ways doctors distinguish scabies from other conditions. If your itching and rash are concentrated in these fold areas, that is a strong indicator to seek medical evaluation rather than pest control.

Signs of Scabies

Recognizing scabies early leads to faster treatment and reduces the chance of spreading it to others. Watch for these signs:

• Intense itching that worsens at night: This is the hallmark symptom. The itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the mites, their eggs, and their waste products. In a first-time infestation, itching may not begin for four to six weeks after exposure, because the immune system needs time to develop the allergic response.
• Thin, irregular burrow tracks: These look like tiny raised lines, often grayish-white or skin-colored, typically 2 to 10 mm long. They may be difficult to see on darker skin tones.
• Widespread rash with small red bumps: Papules (small solid bumps) and vesicles (tiny blisters) scattered across the body, often far from the actual burrow sites. The rash represents the body’s allergic response.
• Scratching damage: Excoriations (scratch marks), scabs, and sometimes secondary bacterial infection from scratching. Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection) is a common complication of scabies.
• Nodules: Firm, reddish-brown nodules (lumps) that may persist for weeks or months after treatment. These are a hypersensitivity reaction and do not mean the infestation is still active.
• In crusted scabies: Thick, grayish, scaly crusts on the skin, particularly on the hands, feet, elbows, and scalp.

If you are experiencing these symptoms and have had close contact with someone diagnosed with scabies, see your doctor promptly. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are from a pest in your home or a medical condition, Alpha Pest Solutions can inspect your home to determine whether any pest evidence exists.

How to Tell If Scabies Is Active

One of the most confusing aspects of scabies is that itching and rash can persist for two to four weeks after successful treatment. This does not mean the treatment failed. The body’s allergic reaction takes time to subside even after all mites are dead.

Signs that scabies may still be active include the appearance of new burrow tracks, new bumps in areas that were previously clear, and itching that intensifies rather than gradually improving after treatment. A dermatologist can perform a follow-up skin scraping to confirm whether live mites or new eggs are present.

From a pest control perspective, if you have had your home inspected and no pest evidence was found, and your symptoms match the scabies pattern described above, a follow-up with your doctor is the right next step, not a second pest treatment.

Scabies Season in Oklahoma

Scabies is not a seasonal condition. Unlike chiggers (summer), fleas (warm months), or cluster flies (fall), scabies occurs year-round because it spreads through human contact, not environmental conditions. Oklahoma’s climate has no direct effect on scabies transmission.

That said, outbreaks in congregate settings like nursing homes and schools may be slightly more common in fall and winter when people spend more time indoors in close contact. The OSDH does not report a strong seasonal pattern for scabies in Oklahoma.

Health Risks

Scabies itself is not life-threatening for most people, but it can cause significant complications if untreated:

• Secondary bacterial infection: Scratching opens the skin to bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. This can lead to impetigo, cellulitis, or in severe cases, septicemia (blood infection). According to the CDC, secondary bacterial infections are the most serious complication of scabies worldwide.
• Post-streptococcal complications: In rare cases, streptococcal skin infections from scabies scratching can lead to acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation).
• Sleep disruption: The intense nighttime itching causes significant sleep loss, which affects work, school performance, and overall quality of life.
• Psychological distress: Persistent itching and the stigma associated with scabies cause anxiety, embarrassment, and social isolation. Some people develop lasting anxiety about crawling sensations even after successful treatment.
• Crusted scabies risks: Immunocompromised individuals with crusted scabies face higher risks of widespread secondary infection and can serve as a source of outbreaks in healthcare facilities.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health recommends prompt medical treatment for anyone diagnosed with scabies, along with simultaneous treatment of all household contacts and close physical contacts, even if they are not yet symptomatic.

Prevention

Preventing scabies is primarily about avoiding prolonged skin contact with infected individuals and treating cases promptly to prevent household spread:

1. Treat all contacts simultaneously. When one household member is diagnosed, all people in the home should be treated at the same time, even if they have no symptoms. Scabies has a four-to-six-week incubation period for first-time infections, so contacts may be infected and contagious before symptoms appear.
2. Wash bedding and clothing in hot water. Wash all bedding, towels, and clothing worn in the previous three days in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.
3. Vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and mattresses, then dispose of the vacuum bag. This is a precaution, not a primary control measure, because the mites live on people, not in the home environment.
4. Avoid sharing personal items with someone who has active scabies, including bedding, towels, and clothing.
5. Report outbreaks in congregate settings. If scabies is identified in a nursing home, school, or daycare in the OKC metro, prompt reporting to the Oklahoma State Department of Health helps contain the outbreak.
6. Seek prompt diagnosis. If you develop persistent itching, especially in the skin fold areas described above, see your doctor without delay. Early treatment prevents spread to family members.
7. Follow treatment instructions completely. Apply the full course of medication as prescribed. A second application is often required seven days after the first.

Note that fumigating your home, spraying pesticides indoors, or hiring pest control to treat for scabies will not solve the problem. The mites live on human skin, not in the home environment. Environmental measures (washing, vacuuming, sealing items) are supplementary to medical treatment, not a substitute for it.

Treatment: This Is a Medical Condition

Scabies requires medical treatment from a licensed physician or dermatologist. It is not treatable by pest control. No amount of spraying, fumigating, or treating your home will eliminate scabies, because the mites live on the person, not in the environment.

Standard medical treatments for scabies include:

• Permethrin cream (5%): Applied from the neck down to all skin surfaces, left on for 8 to 14 hours (usually overnight), then washed off. A second application is typically done seven days later. This is the most commonly prescribed first-line treatment.
• Oral ivermectin: A single oral dose, repeated in 7 to 14 days. Often used for crusted scabies, widespread outbreaks in facilities, or when topical treatment has failed.
• Crotamiton cream or lotion: Applied daily for two consecutive days, then washed off 48 hours after the second application. Less effective than permethrin but used as an alternative.
• Sulfur ointment (5% to 10%): Applied nightly for three nights. Used in infants under two months and pregnant women when permethrin is not recommended.

Over-the-counter anti-itch creams may relieve symptoms temporarily but will not kill the mites. Prescription treatment is necessary for cure.

Alpha Pest Solutions’ Evidence-Based Protocol

When a homeowner calls us about persistent itching, crawling sensations, or unexplained bites, we take it seriously. We inspect the home thoroughly for any physical evidence of pests: live insects, shed skins, fecal matter, egg casings, or other diagnostic signs. We check mattresses, baseboards, furniture seams, window frames, attic access points, and every area where pests commonly hide.

If we find physical evidence of a pest, we identify it and recommend appropriate treatment. Bed bugs, bird mites, bat bugs, fleas, and other biting pests all leave physical evidence that a trained technician can identify.

If we inspect and find no physical pest evidence, we do not treat. Applying pesticides to a home where no pest exists does not solve the problem and may create unnecessary chemical exposure. Instead, we document our findings and recommend the homeowner consult a physician or dermatologist to explore medical causes, including scabies.

This evidence-based approach protects you. It means you get the right answer, not just an invoice. If your symptoms are caused by scabies, a pest control treatment would waste your money and delay the medical care you actually need. We would rather refer you to the right professional than sell you a service that will not help.

For more on this protocol and conditions where itching has no pest cause, see our page on delusory parasitosis.

Treatment Timeline and Expectations

Understanding the timeline helps reduce anxiety during recovery:

• Day 1: First application of permethrin cream (or first dose of ivermectin). Mites begin dying.
• Days 1 to 3: Itching may actually worsen temporarily as dying mites release more allergens.
• Day 7 to 14: Second treatment application to kill any mites that hatched from eggs after the first treatment.
• Weeks 2 to 4: Itching gradually decreases. Rash begins to fade. New bumps should stop appearing.
• Weeks 4 to 6: Most itching and rash should be resolved. Post-scabies nodules may persist but are not a sign of active infestation.
• If itching worsens or new burrows appear after week 3: See your doctor. Treatment may need to be repeated or an alternative medication prescribed.

Environmental cleaning (washing bedding, vacuuming) should be done on the day of each treatment application. No ongoing environmental treatment is needed because the mites cannot survive more than 72 hours off a human body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is scabies a pest control issue?

No. Scabies is a medical condition caused by a microscopic mite that lives on human skin. It requires treatment from a physician, not a pest control company. The mites live on the person, not in the home environment. Pest control treatments applied to your home will not eliminate scabies. If you are unsure whether your symptoms are from a pest in your home or a medical condition, Alpha Pest Solutions can inspect your home for pest evidence and help point you in the right direction.

Can scabies live in my mattress or carpet?

Scabies mites cannot survive more than 48 to 72 hours off a human body. While mites may briefly be present on bedding or furniture, they cannot establish a population in your home the way bed bugs or fleas can. Washing bedding in hot water and vacuuming are good precautions during treatment, but the primary control is medical treatment of the infected person and their close contacts. Your home does not need to be sprayed or fumigated.

How do I know if I have scabies or bed bugs?

The location of your symptoms is the biggest clue. Bed bug bites appear on exposed skin (arms, face, neck, shoulders) in linear rows or clusters, and you can usually find physical evidence of bed bugs in your mattress seams, headboard, and furniture. Scabies rash concentrates in skin folds (between fingers, wrists, waistline, armpits) with no visible insects anywhere. If you are unsure, Alpha Pest Solutions can inspect your home for bed bug evidence, and your doctor can check for scabies.

Can I catch scabies from my pet?

The scabies mite that infests humans (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis) is specific to humans. Dogs can get a related condition called sarcoptic mange caused by a different variety of the same mite species. While the dog mite can temporarily cause itching in humans, it cannot complete its life cycle on human skin and the symptoms resolve on their own. If your dog has mange, see your veterinarian. If you have persistent itching that is not resolving, see your doctor for a scabies evaluation.

How long does scabies itching last after treatment?

Itching can persist for two to four weeks after successful treatment. This is normal and does not mean the treatment failed. The itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the mite proteins in the skin, and it takes time for the body to clear those allergens. If itching worsens after two weeks or new burrow tracks appear, consult your doctor for a follow-up evaluation. Anti-itch medications such as antihistamines or prescription topical steroids can help manage residual itching.

Is scabies caused by poor hygiene?

No. Scabies has nothing to do with cleanliness. It spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, regardless of how clean the home or the person is. People in every income level, neighborhood, and walk of life get scabies. The stigma associated with scabies is undeserved and often prevents people from seeking prompt treatment, which allows the condition to spread to others.

Can scabies spread through hugging or shaking hands?

Classic scabies generally requires prolonged skin-to-skin contact lasting several minutes to spread. A brief handshake or hug is unlikely to transmit scabies. The most common transmission occurs between bed partners, between parents and children during extended holding, and through other sustained close physical contact. Crusted scabies, however, is much more contagious and can spread through brief contact or contaminated surfaces due to the massive number of mites involved.

Do I need to throw away my mattress if I have scabies?

No. Unlike a bed bug infestation, scabies does not require discarding furniture. The mites die within 48 to 72 hours off the human body. Washing your bedding in hot water and drying on high heat on the day of treatment is sufficient. Mattresses and upholstered furniture can be vacuumed as a precaution. Save your money for the doctor visit, not new furniture.

Are scabies common in Oklahoma?

Scabies occurs throughout Oklahoma, as it does across the United States. The Oklahoma State Department of Health monitors outbreaks, particularly in congregate settings like nursing homes, group homes, and correctional facilities. Individual cases occur across the OKC metro and all parts of the state. Scabies is a global condition affecting an estimated 200 million people worldwide at any given time, according to the World Health Organization.

Should I treat my home with pesticides for scabies?

No. The CDC specifically states that fumigation of living quarters is not recommended for scabies. The mites live on people, not in the home. Applying pesticides to your home for scabies wastes money, creates unnecessary chemical exposure for your family and pets, and does nothing to address the actual condition. The proper response is medical treatment for infected individuals and their contacts, combined with washing bedding and vacuuming as supplementary measures.

Can scabies come back after treatment?

Yes, reinfection is possible if close contacts are not treated at the same time. This is the most common reason scabies “comes back.” One family member gets treated, improves, and then gets reinfected from an untreated partner or child. All household members and intimate contacts must be treated simultaneously, even if they have no symptoms. If you are reinfected, see your doctor for retreatment. The same medications remain effective.

What if pest control finds nothing in my home but I am still itching?

If Alpha Pest Solutions inspects your home and finds no physical evidence of any pest, that is valuable information. It means the cause of your itching is likely medical, not environmental. We recommend scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician or a dermatologist. Possible medical causes include scabies, eczema, contact dermatitis, medication reactions, or other conditions. Our page on delusory parasitosis provides more information about persistent itching and crawling sensations when no pest is found.

How is scabies diagnosed?

A doctor or dermatologist diagnoses scabies through clinical examination of the rash and distribution pattern, and may confirm it by performing a skin scraping of a burrow site and examining it under a microscope. Dermoscopy (using a specialized magnifying instrument) can sometimes visualize the mite directly. The characteristic distribution in skin folds, combined with intense nighttime itching and a history of close contact with an infected person, often provides enough information for a clinical diagnosis.

Can children get scabies at school or daycare in Oklahoma?

Yes. School and daycare transmission is possible, though less common than household transmission because the contact is usually briefer. The Oklahoma State Department of Health recommends that children with scabies be treated and may return to school or daycare the day after their first treatment. If your child is diagnosed, notify the school or daycare so other families can watch for symptoms. Close contacts such as playmates who have prolonged physical contact should be evaluated by their doctor.

Are OKC nursing homes at risk for scabies outbreaks?

Yes. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are among the highest-risk settings for scabies outbreaks because residents live in close quarters and require hands-on care from staff. A single undiagnosed case of crusted scabies can rapidly spread to dozens of residents and caregivers. The Oklahoma State Department of Health provides outbreak guidance for healthcare facilities and may assist with facility-wide screening and treatment coordination when outbreaks occur.

What is the difference between scabies and eczema?

Both cause itchy rashes, but their patterns differ. Scabies concentrates in skin folds (between fingers, wrists, waistline) and features thin burrow tracks. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) typically appears on the inner elbows, behind the knees, and on the face in children. Eczema is a chronic condition related to immune system function and skin barrier problems, while scabies is an infectious condition caused by a mite. A dermatologist can distinguish between the two through examination and, if needed, skin scraping. Both conditions are treatable but require different approaches.

Related Services and Pests

If you are experiencing unexplained itching or bites, these related pages may help you identify the cause:

• Delusory Parasitosis – When itching and crawling sensations persist with no pest found
• Bed Bugs – Biting insects that live in mattresses and furniture
• Bird Mites – Tiny mites that enter homes from bird nests
• Chiggers – Outdoor mites common in Oklahoma grass and brush
• Fleas – Biting insects associated with pets
• Flea Treatment – Professional flea control for homes and yards
• Bed Bug Treatment – Professional bed bug elimination

Still Not Sure What Is Causing Your Symptoms?

We understand how frustrating and distressing it is to deal with persistent itching, especially when you cannot identify the cause. Alpha Pest Solutions is here to help. We will inspect your home thoroughly for any evidence of biting or crawling pests. If we find something, we will identify it and recommend the right treatment. If we do not find pest evidence, we will tell you that honestly and recommend you consult a medical professional. Either way, you get a clear answer.

Call (405) 977-0678 to schedule a free home inspection. We serve the entire Oklahoma City metro, including Norman, Edmond, Midwest City, Yukon, Mustang, Del City, Bethany, Choctaw, Nichols Hills, and The Village. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.