do lice or mites die

[newchicks]

Do lice and or mites die when it gets cold like fleas or ticks? And how do I know a mite from lice? I feel terrible, I thought they were molting and then I noticed the one girls butt looked dark and funny. They are thriving but it must really feel yukie. Poor girls!! How long does it take for them to recover?

 

[Sillystunt]

If you do not treat them , the mites can kill your birds. They are parasites and feed off your chicken making them sick and weak. You MUST go to the garden dept and get SEVIN DUST. You must treat each bird and then again in 7-10 days(new eggs hatch).
Then you MUST totally clean coop out and dust in the coop, redo 7-10 days down the road.

It will NOT go away! You MUST treat your chickens and you have your work cut out for you! You CAN win the battle but do not let it get sooo bad you have to cull! This is totally treatable.

Mites can be little black or red dots that move around, exspecially at night. Lice will be clearish brown and oblong, their nits will be clustered mostly in the legs and vent area but can spread all over.

They will recover once you treat them as directed. I am sure other BYC members will chime in as well.
Best of luck~

 

[Ridgerunner]

These sites might help you tell the difference.

Ohio State – Mites and Lice
http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

Mites Description
https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/archives/145

 

[purpletree23]

SIllystunt said it all! Do exactly what he/she said and it will be alright. Mites and lice will kill your flock.

 

[chickn]

but do they die like fleas and ticks in the winter cold weather?? the reason i ask is because i treat all yr round dusting the coop and i wonder if in the winter i really need to so
do they die??

 

[Buckguy20]

They won't die off in the winter. I usually have more problems with them in the winter than summer.

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
Well, i am not sure if freezing weather kills them. but since a chickens temp and coop are warm i would think they would hide out and feed off your chickens.

Dusting with what? DE that is a prevents doesn't treat! Love the stuff but doesn't kill it! You dust with Sevin, i wouldn't unless you have an outbreak.

 

[chickn]

yes, sevin is what i use

 

[Sillystunt]

Quote:
I wouldn't unless you see them little buggers

 

[newchicks]

Thank you, thank you. I treated them tonight with the Seven. I only have 2 hens, and they live in a part of the barn that's the size of a one car garage. It's metal and not partically warm. They free range all day and I shut them in at night. I threw dust around in the pine shavings, and since they're not laying I'll completely clean out where they lay etc. Then I should do it again in 7 days??? When will I and how will I know that they are better?????? I know these must all be stupid questions, but I'm so new at this and the girls were lost strays that I took in.
You all have been very helpful, any more advice would be much appreciated.