Mite infestation in coop?

[NNYchick]

Do you have to remove the bedding or can you spray it and mix it.

 

[Kiki]

Do you have to remove the bedding or can you spray it and mix it.

You should remove it.

 

[ValerieJ]

Wow, this was a fascinating read. So sorry you had to deal with that!!! I just sprayed my coops a couple days ago because people on BYC say everyone has mites. I cleared all the bedding out and didn't see a single bug. I feel so much better now. I thought they were too small to see or something. Like, how would you know you have them if you can't see them?

 

[Kiki]

Wow, this was a fascinating read. So sorry you had to deal with that!!! I just sprayed my coops a couple days ago because people on BYC say everyone has mites. I cleared all the bedding out and didn't see a single bug. I feel so much better now. I thought they were too small to see or something. Like, how would you know you have them if you can't see them?

Everyone does not have mites.

I for one have not yet been blessed with them.

I can tell you that wild birds and rats carry mites too.
It help to have a coop secure where wild birds and rats can't get in.

 

[ValerieJ]

Everyone does not have mites.

I for one have not yet been blessed with them.

I can tell you that wild birds and rats carry mites too.
It help to have a coop secure where wild birds and rats can't get in.

We don't have rats here, only field mice. But, we have tons of birds of every kind and size. I have bird netting over most of the chicken area to keep birds of prey at bay, but a small bird could get in there. Well, anyway, I did treat the coop and will again in 7 days, just in case.

 

[colette peters]

Do you have to remove the bedding or can you spray it and mix it.

I was asking the same. Seems everyone has their own opinion. The solution you can apply to the chickens to kill the mites so obviously not toxic. But honestly the smell is so strong I myself would not want to spray it with the bedding. Best to start fresh. That’s my feeling.

 

[colette peters]

@Texas Kiki @cmom @sylviethecochin
As of now I think I’m mite free!!
I’m not seeing any on perches, corners or nesting boxes. Nothing crawling on my hands. I did spray 2 more times since Monday. I’ll do it again Tuesday, but the smell is not good. I can smell it when I get close to the coop from my backdoor do you think it bothers them? I’m not getting as many eggs from them I’m down to 5 from 8 eggs a day.

 

[cmom]

I did a thorough cleaning of my coops when I first discovered the mites. I power washed inside the coops and put fresh shavings down and sprayed everywhere. I have been repeating weekly since I have seen wild birds trying to build nests in one of the coops.

 

[cmom]

@Texas Kiki @cmom @sylviethecochin
As of now I think I’m mite free!!
I’m not seeing any on perches, corners or nesting boxes. Nothing crawling on my hands. I did spray 2 more times since Monday. I’ll do it again Tuesday, but the smell is not good. I can smell it when I get close to the coop from my backdoor do you think it bothers them? I’m not getting as many eggs from them I’m down to 5 from 8 eggs a day.

I wouldn't spray any more than once a week. The pest can get an immunity to it from research I have done.

 

[colette peters]

Everyone does not have mites.

I for one have not yet been blessed with them.

I can tell you that wild birds and rats carry mites too.
It help to have a coop secure where wild birds and rats can't get in.

I definitely don’t have birds or rats going in the roosting coop. But rats/mice I definitely see getting in the coop area where the food and water supply is.