How does one deal with mites?

[ChickeninaBiscuit57]

I noticed that my flock of 22 has been looking pretty rough. Checked a handful of them and sure enough, they have mites. Their coop floor is dirt and is pretty dry most of the time. Do I need to clean out all of the loose dirt and treat the entire coop?

 

[Evadig]

I think you need to treat the whole coop; I'm not sure about the dirt floor. Maybe sprinkle some DE or whatever the other solution is (it's like permi...something - I can't remember! ). Hopefully someone experienced can tell you!

 

[Lelilamom]

We have a very old coop - all wood planks, etc. There's no "Thorough Cleaning" a 120 yr old structure. We scrape up everything we can, sweep the floor carefully, remove all bedding from the boxes and then coat everything with a mixture of DE and Permethrin Dust.
There are many resources regarding these awful pests. Even among experts there's dissention on how to treat and for how long. But you can start here:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG141
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/livestock/tropical_fowl_mite.htm#top
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/ectoparasites/mites-of-poultry?query=chicken mites

Good Luck and let us know how you are managing.

 

[Shadrach]

This article should help you out.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-fleas-dealing-with-external-parasites.74599/

 

[mcdze]

bifen and a pump up sprayer ...remove chickens to another area, clean all nest boxes out, remove food and water, spray every surface inside and out including wire the roof and the ground .. let it dry completely .. wont hurt them a bit .. repeat after a hard rain or once a month or so in the warm months ... wet its toxic, so wear long sleeves gloves and a hat is best, and shower after its done ..