Do red mite live in the run?

[PotassiumJunkie]

I always put wood chip down on the ground in the run at the start of winter to stop it becoming a big muddy puddle.

However, currently at war with red mite in the coop so was wondering can they live in the wood chip outside? Or is it literally just in the coop?

 

[Shadrach]

I always put wood chip down on the ground in the run at the start of winter to stop it becoming a big muddy puddle.

However, currently at war with red mite in the coop so was wondering can they live in the wood chip outside? Or is it literally just in the coop?

Red mite can live outside. However, it's unlikely you have an infestation in the run. There are a couple of reasons it's unlikely. Firstly red mite don't like daylight (just like the fabled vampires) and they don't like to travel far to eat.
Perch ends and end grain in wood are their favorite hiding places in the coop.