I highly doubt it is mites. My husband has not come up with those little bumps and he handles them more often then I do. Also they do not last. They pop up, itch for a little while, then are gone within and hour or two. I think that the claw thing mentioned above sounds like it might be the case. When I reach in and pet them, I do not end up with the little bumps, it seems to happen more when I get poked by squirmy rat claws... so maybe it is something to do with their little claws? Who knows... since it isn't something that lasts, I cope. My husband thinks I am crazy for still handling them, but it is just slight irritation for a little while.