Bird Mites

[DJ30]

Just found out my coop has bird mites, any advice? I have been considering a shot, dichotomous earth, bathing in a specialised bath, or introducing a predatory mite. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[DobieLover]

Ditch all of the above and strip the coop out completely, sweep everything and shop vac it. Burn the old bedding.

Get Permethrin concentrate then dilute it into a garden sprayer per the label directions for "premise spray" and spray the coop thoroughly, wetting everything, paying close attention to places where wood meets wood where mites like to hide during the day. After you empty the shop vac into the fire you burned the bedding in, spray the inside of the shop vac body too. Let the coop dry out (use an oscillating fan to speed up the process) then put in fresh bedding.

Make a hand spray bottle of Permethrin solution, again following the directions on the label for direct contact with livestock. Spray each bird down to the skin in each location under both wings, under the vent, under the hackles on the back of the neck and on the chest.

Repeat all of the above in 7 days. And again in 14 days if you have a bad infestation.

Good luck.

 

[DJ30]

Ditch all of the above and strip the coop out completely, sweep everything and shop vac it. Burn the old bedding.

Get Permethrin concentrate then dilute it into a garden sprayer per the label directions for "premise spray" and spray the coop thoroughly, wetting everything, paying close attention to places where wood meets wood where mites like to hide during the day. After you empty the shop vac into the fire you burned the bedding in, spray the inside of the shop vac body too. Let the coop dry out (use an oscillating fan to speed up the process) then put in fresh bedding.

Make a hand spray bottle of Permethrin solution, again following the directions on the label for direct contact with livestock. Spray each bird down to the skin in each location under both wings, under the vent, under the hackles on the back of the neck and on the chest.

Repeat all of the above in 7 days. And again in 14 days if you have a bad infestation.

Good luck.

Ok, luckily my chook shed is made out of tin with the only wood being what holds the nesting boxes

 

[Yardmom]

There are different types of mites. Are you seeing them on the roosts or only on the birds?

 

[DJ30]

I live in Australia where bird mites are extremely common, I saw one that was red which lead me to belive they were red mites. I then did more research and determined that they were most likely bird mite, they are on everything I touch.

 

[DJ30]

I live in Australia where bird mites are extremely common, I saw one that was red which lead me to belive they were red mites. I then did more research and determined that they were most likely bird mite, they are on everything I touch.

Update: Bird mite and red mite are the same thing don't know how to delete comments. I used dichotomous earth and an experimental treatment called Exzolt which you mix into their water. The dichotomous earth worked a treat and today I gave the chooks Exzolt, will update in a week or so how it went.

 

[Noreaster Egger]

Update: Bird mite and red mite are the same thing don't know how to delete comments. I used dichotomous earth and an experimental treatment called Exzolt which you mix into their water. The dichotomous earth worked a treat and today I gave the chooks Exzolt, will update in a week or so how it went.

How did the Exzolt work for you? I got my hands on some a couple of years ago and it’s been a godsend for controlling the northern fowl mites here. A little goes a long way too. My birds are pretty much mite free within a few days after treatment.