Mites all over yard, not on chickens

[mrsruzek]

Maybe y'all can help me with this one. We bought our 6 month old chickens a couple of months ago (lesson learned there--will never buy anything other than chicks again). Once we brought them home, I immediately started noticing red mites all over our backyard. They're in the compost, even a few here and there in the chicken run, and they're generally EVERYWHERE. I genuinely believe the mites came when we got the chickens, but I don't ever find any ON the chickens. We use lots of ash and DE so they can take dust baths often, so they stay very dry. BUT...they're all over my yard! How do I get rid of them? They're horrible pests!!
I'm not 100% sure they're red mites, but I don't know what else they could be. I have GOT to get rid of them, I can't even imagine how bad this could get when spring comes.

I should also mention that I have a dog, and now I don't want him playing outside because he'll bring them inside...and I don't want our two baby boys to get them from the dog! Ugh.

 

[Folly's place]

They won't be a chicken parasite, much more likely some local bug that's having a very good year. Take some, or good photos, to a bug expert. Check with the university, maybe phone or email. Are they biting? Using an insecticide will kill every beneficial critter too, please don't do that! Mary

 

[junebuggena]

Not all mites are bad. It sounds more like soil mites, than chicken mites. Mites in the compost aren't a problem. Mites on the chickens are.
Check this out.
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/soil-mites-info.htm

 

[lilofthestars]

Good Morning All. I have noticed yellow spots on my white chicken. I have three 2 roosters and one hen.They are about 3 months old.They are loosing feathers and scratching a lot. We have a chicken tractor. We cleaned the coop twice and moved it. Got a larger pan with dirt and sand and added food grade DE. I have not seen them yet bath in it.Are we doing something wrong?I thought at first because of the age it is normal to loose feathers.I gave read so many different ways to kill mites. I believe Food grade DE would be the safest.Any information would be appreciated.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I consider DE and wood ash more of a deterrent than a cure. It is normal for chickens to mini molt at this age into adult plumage but if with inspection you are seeing mites than treat for them appropriately. Are the yellow patches eggs? Maybe fleas too. Regardless Ivermectin or Sevin Dust are popular effective treatments for both.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm a fan of either Ivermectin or permethrin, not carbaryl. Mary