Do we have mites??

[MiniChickenMommy]

Hello all,
First time posting here, although I have been a regular visitor since acquiring 2 Peking bantam chickens 2 months ago. They are still quite young, about 8-10 months I believe after lots of research.
I am however getting increasingly worried about these very very tiny insects I keep finding on my skin after handling my chickens. They are so small you can barely see them, but I can feel them and see them on my bare skin.
Do I need to take my chicken to a veterinarian?
Another problem, my 2 chickens regularly venture into my house, so if there has been a mite infestion, how am I going to get them out of my house???
Thanks for reading!

 

[rosemarythyme]

First off, try and verify that they are mites, and also what type of mite it could be: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

The instructions below are for Northern Fowl Mites. Red Mites have a slightly shorter life cycle and you'd want to favor treating the coop over the birds themselves.

For the coop - Clear out all the bedding. Burn it or otherwise bag up and dispose of it. Spray all surfaces (though I skipped the ceiling and top parts of wall though, because my coop peak is too tall) and crevices with liquid permethrin, including roost bars and nests. After it all dries, put in new bedding (I made sure to do my spraying early in the day, so it was mostly dry by late afternoon so the chickens could go back in).

For the chickens - Dust with permethrin powder or spray with liquid under belly, under wings, on back, around base of neck, around vent. If they're getting them on their heads (which you may see scabbing around comb or even eyes if it's bad), I'd carefully pat some around the base of the comb or just behind the head, but I wouldn't spray them directly in the face.

You'll need to treat again in around 7 to 10-ish days, as permethrin doesn't kill eggs. Recheck in another 7-10 days and if needed, treat again (but if it's a light or moderate infestation, that shouldn't be necessary).

* * *

If mite bites on you are an issue, or mites are getting into the house:

While treating the chickens I suggest keeping a dedicated set of chicken-only clothes, gloves, boots, etc. either in garage or shed, somewhere out of the house, and only use those around the chickens until treatment is done. Before going back into the house, check arms and legs carefully for any mites.

I also got some permethrin spray for use in the house, and sprayed all our muck boots, as well as hubby's office chair and the sofa.

Launder everything you've worn recently in hot water + hot dry. Launder your sheets as well. Even things like pillows... let them tumble in the dryer on high for at least 30 min. I even threw jackets in the dryer. If you happen to have rubbing alcohol to spare, my pest guy suggested spraying the mattress as well.

Continue vacuuming daily for a couple of days and make sure to empty out the vacuum/remove bags when done.

I know it seems like overkill but if you can get it under control with the chickens, the ones in the house should get eliminated/under control in the same time frame as long as you don't drag more in. Best of luck!

 

[aart]

I am however getting increasingly worried about these very very tiny insects I keep finding on my skin after handling my chickens. They are so small you can barely see them, but I can feel them and see them on my bare skin.

First don't panic....sounds like noseeums to me.
Check your birds at night for bugs.
My Bug Check notes...with redundant link because it's such a good one:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008


There's all kinds of bugs out there, most are not a threat the poultry...no need to kill them all.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @MiniChickenMommy
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[MiniChickenMommy]

Thank you all for your replies. Its confirmed: Redmites found huge clusters of them inside the chicken house.. I will follow a PPs advice and look for permethrin, but if anyone knows any other methods, please let me know!! I am UK based but will most likely buy from Amazon.

 

[aart]

Thank you all for your replies. Its confirmed: Redmites found huge clusters of them inside the chicken house.. I will follow a PPs advice and look for permethrin, but if anyone knows any other methods, please let me know!! I am UK based but will most likely buy from Amazon.

ACK, Bummer!!
Not sure you can get permethrin in the UK.
I always tag @Yorkshire Coop for this.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

I use Total mite kill. Works well but you must keep treating the coop to try and break the life cycle of them.
You can get it from a country/agriculture store or amazon UK also sell -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Net-Tex-Ready-Total-Liquid/dp/B003L6LUIQ

 

[Chicalina]

I use Total mite kill. Works well but you must keep treating the coop to try and break the life cycle of them.
You can get it from a country/agriculture store or amazon UK also sell -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Net-Tex-Ready-Total-Liquid/dp/B003L6LUIQ

That stuff is good, I've used it before.

If you can't get that, you can also use cheap household flea spray in the coop as in most the active ingredients is permethrin or derivative.

 

[aart]

I use Total mite kill. Works well but you must keep treating the coop to try and break the life cycle of them.
You can get it from a country/agriculture store or amazon UK also sell -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Net-Tex-Ready-Total-Liquid/dp/B003L6LUIQ

Thanks @Yorkshire Coop

That stuff is good, I've used it before.

If you can't get that, you can also use cheap household flea spray in the coop as in most the active ingredients is permethrin or derivative.

Maybe even human lice shampoo.
Wonders if either have other ingredients tho.

 

[Chicalina]

Thanks @Yorkshire Coop

Maybe even human lice shampoo.
Wonders if either have other ingredients tho.

It may well be safe and effective, I don't know, but my chickens would NOT appreciate a bath, let alone one with lice shampoo! They'd never forgive me! lol