Clearing Red Poultry Mite

[moraylass]

We had an infestation of Red Poultry Mites last summer, which we reduced with rubbing diatomaceous earth on them and in there favourite spots - the hens stopped laying, and the mites went as the cold weather came in the UK.

However with the arrival of spring they have started to return - and they are breeding on top of piles of the dry diatomaceous earth!

Currently I grind them into the diatomaceous earth by hand and put some more diatomaceous earth down, and along the perch, but it seems ineffective.

So, what is the best way to use diatomaceous earth?

And is there an alternative which still allows us to use the eggs?

Many thanks!

 

[azygous]

Permethrin and spinosad are both effective insecticides against poultry mites of all kinds and are both natural compounds and completely safe for chickens.

Permethrin is less expensive and you can find it as a dusting powder to treat the chickens and also as a liquid concentrate to spray down the coop. You should be able to find it at any garden supply or feed store.

Spinosad is sold under the label Elector PSP and can be found on Amazon. It's expensive but is highly concentrated and goes a very long way. I love this stuff and still am using the oriiginal 8oz bottle I bought years ago. Usually, one treatment is all that is necessary while permethrin requires several in order to get all the mites. I mix a quarter teaspoon of Elector in a quart bottle of water and spray the chickens directly. I mix some in a garden sprayer to spray down the coop.

DE doesn't treat coop mites. Period. As you've discovered.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Since you are in Scotland, I don't know what you have available. Can you get Spinosad (Elector PSP)? That is supposed to be very effective in treatment of external parasites. It is a bit pricey, but comes in concentrate so I see where lots of folks say it will last a long time.

Permethrin based poultry sprays or dusts can also be used for treatment as well. Check and see what you have available at your feed or pet shop.

Both the Spinosad and Permethrin (find one labeled for poultry) can be used on the birds themselves for treatment. There is no withdrawal period when either product is used according to label instructions.

Sadly, as you are finding out DE is not effective for treatment of external parasites.

 

[swinhoe]

Hello,

I am in Warwickshire, UK, and also had a terrible mite infection last summer. We absolutey drenched the coop with Creosote and have had a mite free winter. Like you, I am worried that they may return as it strts to get warmer.

Today I added Red Stop to their water, I have been told that this is very effective - the chickens drink it for 10 days at first, and then once a week and the mites don't like the taste of it. I have not tried it before,but know several people that swear by it.
http://www.sprcentre.com/Online-Sho...-Control-Products/SPR-Red-Stop-Solution-250ml
I posted a query on this forum about Rob Marshalls S76 which is also added to drinking water - available in the Uk here: I think it could be an Australian product
https://www.fabfinches.co.uk/product/dr-rob-marshalls-s76-air-sac-mite-treatment/

I also use DE copiously, but my coop is an old dog kennel and full of nooks and crannies.

I also used Deosect Spray for the coop, from my vet, and Eprinex drops that were applied to each hen.

Good luck, I am starting to itch even thinking about it - they really attacked me as well and I ended up using the grandchildrens' nit tretments

 

[moraylass]

Thank you all. It's obvious I need to take a new direction, and you've given a great start.

 

[swinhoe]

Good luck - at least it's colder today, hope you are well isolated from corona?! Keep healthy

 

[cmom]

Permethrin and spinosad are both effective insecticides against poultry mites of all kinds and are both natural compounds and completely safe for chickens.

Permethrin is less expensive and you can find it as a dusting powder to treat the chickens and also as a liquid concentrate to spray down the coop. You should be able to find it at any garden supply or feed store.

Spinosad is sold under the label Elector PSP and can be found on Amazon. It's expensive but is highly concentrated and goes a very long way. I love this stuff and still am using the oriiginal 8oz bottle I bought years ago. Usually, one treatment is all that is necessary while permethrin requires several in order to get all the mites. I mix a quarter teaspoon of Elector in a quart bottle of water and spray the chickens directly. I mix some in a garden sprayer to spray down the coop.

DE doesn't treat coop mites. Period. As you've discovered.

Great advice. I use Permethrin when I need to and it works great and there is no egg withdrawal period. You must spray weekly for awhile because it doesn't kill the mite eggs. Permethrin will kill a host of pests but one thing I noticed with the Elector PSP on their fact sheet is that it doesn't mention lice which permethrin does. Good luck...
I was researching where you can purchase permethrin. I don't know if this will help. Good luck...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-oz-Per...129726&hash=item1eaaf4b72e:g:JIoAAOSwoydWr6Xw

 

[cmom]

Good luck - at least it's colder today, hope you are well isolated from corona?! Keep healthy

 

[aart]

Rob Marshalls S76 which is also added to drinking water - available in the Uk here: I think it could be an Australian product
https://www.fabfinches.co.uk/product/dr-rob-marshalls-s76-air-sac-mite-treatment/

This is Ivermectin...and slippery elm.
Wonder if the elm is what makes it effective in water.... @casportpony ever heard of this stuff?

 

[casportpony]

Yeah, haven't heard of that and wonder how water-soluble it is.