RSM: Red Spider Mite (magnified)Ahh yes, a natural nemesis of the hot springer, the Red Spider Mite (RSM) is known to inhabit a few hot springs. Barley visible to the naked eye, these tiny crimson mites scurry about on rocks and the top of water in and around select hot springs in Idaho and the Northwest.
They cling to the body (including clothing left next to the pools) and proceed to bite the skin in an unsuccessful attempt to lay eggs. The bites leave itchy red sores behind that usually heal completely after a couple weeks. It is highly advisable to use itch relief cream and avoid itching the bites. The human immune system kills off the eggs before they can hatch and eventually builds up enough immunity to kill off the mites themselves.
Precautionary Measures
- Avoid the hot, dry rocks near and next to hot springs as the majority of RSMs inhabit this area.
- Use bug juice, but only after your soak – RSMs usually wait to dig-in until their host has dry skin, applying bug juice after soaking should reduce your chances of receiving bites.
I was always told that there were mites in the hot springs at Whitey Cox along the Middle Fork of Salmon River. Was wondering if there is any confirmation of this.
Yes. It is INFESTED with the little bastards. We did not soak here due to the large colony while on our May 2005 trip.
http://riverrant.blogspot.com/2005/09/three-swims-on-middle-fork.html
Do you know if these bugs look like little hairs floating around on top? I visited Pries Hotsprings this weekend, and found little bugs that looked like this. We didn’t receive any bites though, so I’m wondering if this is the same thing. Any idea what they could be if not Red Spider Mites?
I don’t think the bugs you speak of at Preis are Red Spider Mites. They are very hard to see, and look like tiny crimson droplets. It’s pretty rare to soak without bites with RSMs, especially in a smaller pool the size of Preis.
We went up to the hot springs by atlanta and one of the hot springs right outside the town was infested with these spiders. now i have bites that itch all over my body. so be aware of them
Hot springs in the Soldier Meadows north of Gerlack, NV, have the red spider mites. I did not see them as it was dark, but I have the bites.
Willow Creek HS is now infested with RSM We were totaly BUMMED !! Campers there said this infestation just recently happened 4-09 Frank McCleary
Did not see what bit us, but there was SOMETHING June 12 (dusk)-13 (early am), 2010 @ Worswick HS. Both of us have dozens of bites.
My relatives all got bit by these last weekend at Worswick hot springs. Nasty little things. They got their backs, armpits and legs..
: Central Idaho: Burgdorf Hot Springs,
bits all over, dozens of bites.
Yes, there are spider mites at the Ft Bidwell hot springs on the Reservation, up near the cemetery. Found out the hard way.
got bit pretty thoroughly (20x) at sheepeater hot springs on middle fork of salmon r. this sept., 2012. got no bites earlier this year. did i do something different, such as lean back against wet rocks this time?
red spider mites at Travertine Hot Springs – Bridgeport, CA
just returned – many dozens of bites – very uncomfortable – huge welts all around my neck and under my arms. However, Travertine has pools that seem to be fine. The pool in question is long, narrow and lined with reeds. a few feet deep, sooty bottom and about 105+ – a very nice soak – until a few hours later. This is too bad. Either more and more hot springs are being infected, or my immune system is not what it used to be. I used to visit Eagleville, CA hot springs without any problems – the past two visits had bites all over me. These little buggers can take a big bite out of a relaxing weekend.
I was just at Travertine Hot springs – Bridgeport Ca 2,3. Beautiful full moon and relaxing time. Low traffic. But, I believe I have just been in contact with theses pests . My scalp has red itchy bumps/scabs. Very unpleasant throughout out the day.
Just was at Worswick and we all got eatin alive. Didn’t realize what it was till we got home and looked it up. 6/24/15
Benton Hot Springs in Benton Ca. site #1…….first time visited, many red raised ‘bites’ when I returned home. Owners are not concerned.
My friends own land in Nevada with natural hot springs on it. It’s an amazing spot but the mites are there so we pour just a bit of olive oil on the surface of the water and it seems to kill them and allow us to soak bite free. This is private land so I don’t know what the laws are on adding olive oil to Springs found on state land but if you want to minimize your chance of being bitten I suggest carrying some olive oil with you on your soaking adventures! The pool we soak in is very large, about 30 feet by 10 and we put about 8oz of olive oil for a weekend of soaking, it’s great for your skin and edible for animal life.