Bed bugs in my coop!

[Gallo del Cielo]

Well, I went to THE source for finding out about such things in AZ (Carl Olson) and he identified it as a soft-bodied tick from the family Argasidae, Argus persicus (Fowl Tick). Apparently, they act a lot like bed-bugs, hiding in the nests of birds by day and feeding at night. Unlike most ticks, they molt a number of times, feeding between molts. I got the number for the U of A Veterinary Diagnostics lab. and they will apparently direct me on how to deal with them. I'll keep you updated.

 

[gckiddhouse]

Wow!! Please do keep us posted!! I hope you get that under control soon. YUK! This is one of those things that can happen to any one of us. The wild life can bring us all kinds of goodies.
We recently had poultry lice. It seems to be all gone now, but I still have some that are not laying. They all look fine, but no eggs. I sometimes wonder if there is some other thing going on. No loss of feathers, though. Hopefully it is just a molt. There are sure a lot of feathers on the ground.

I have never heard of a tick that lets go and comes back later. You learn something new everyday!

 

[mediazeal]

eewwww, anyone else feeling all ichy now?

 

[BayouPoules]

That thing is just gross.

Ya know,.. time spent on BYC is a continuing education. Thanks Gallo del Cielo for letting us learn with you through your disgusting bug ordeal.
It's one more thing for which I am better prepared.

 

[BunnyMomma]

eeeeewwww! is right!

I feel itchy. That is gross! I am glad I use Diametaceous Earth.
I have never seen a Chicken Tick before. I didn't even know such a thing existed. I'm glad you posted this for us to see.
Although it is disgusting!
Bunny in NC

 

[Strange_Screams]

oh, eeew.....its midnight, ima go dust my entire yard right now.....eeew

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in019

Pics of mites at the bottom of the page.

Hang in there!!! This too shall pass.

ETA: oops just read you already ID'ed it.

 

[fl_deb]

I maybe wrong, but I think Fowl ticks are serious predators of all fowl and can carry a deadly fowl pox that can devastate a flock in a hurry! Please take immediate action! Often spread by migrating birds. Ohh, I hope I am wrong!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140

scroll down for fowl tick.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Yes, they are Fowl or Poultry Ticks. I spoke to the folks at the University of Arizona Veterinary Diagnostics Lab. and confirmed that I need to use pyrethroids or organophosphates to kill them. Apparently, these things are very common and are found everywhere, but especially in drier climates. They are transported by wild birds. I got to observe them carefully tonight, it was very interesting. These things feed at night and hide in the crevice during the day, rather than stay on the bird. I hope to have them eradicated by tomorrow.