I'm covered with tiny bugs!

steffenck

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Over the last week, every time I go into the chicken coop, I'm covered with tiny, tan bugs. The chickens look fine and don't seem to be scratching a lot. But these things immediately get on my legs, arms and face/hair. It is creeping me out!

I've spread DE on the wood chips and created a pool w sand, wood ash and DE but they don't seem to want to dust themselves. I won't keep them (5 mos old) if this keeps up. Any idea what would get on me but not them?
 
Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!
LL
 
Oh Dear, Steffenck! But
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You may get better luck posting on the pests thread or reading through there.

The top things that come to mind are Northern Fowl Mites or Red mites. Now I am highly allergic, so I dont see the mites but get little itchy mosquito-bite looking bumps when my girls get mites (picked up from wild birds). Perhaps do a google search on those two things and see if it looks familiar. Manageable pests but no fun.
 
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Over the last week, every time I go into the chicken coop, I'm covered with tiny, tan bugs. The chickens look fine and don't seem to be scratching a lot. But these things immediately get on my legs, arms and face/hair. It is creeping me out!

I've spread DE on the wood chips and created a pool w sand, wood ash and DE but they don't seem to want to dust themselves. I won't keep them (5 mos old) if this keeps up. Any idea what would get on me but not them?

DE won't do anything for mites or lice. You need a residual emulsified concentrate like Permectrin II or Ravap EC. Follow label directions in order to treat birds and the premises.
 
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sounds like the bugs prefer you to chickens, maybe they are a type that need a human host. Possibly you aren't getting them from the chickens but, maybe from whatever litter you use (straw, hay, ???) DE is useless, so don't think they are hard to kill. It's not worth giving up your birds for it. Just use recommended products.
 
Mix some Malathion with water, then spray the cage especially the roost. Then spray the chicken around their vents. This will rid of mite, lice and many others.
 

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