Mites and Lice- How Common? and Prevention?

[O.C.Chick]

I have a few things to add based on what I learned this summer during a horrible and sudden experience with mite infestation.

FIRST: THEY DO BITE HUMANS...

I had sod delivered from Northern California and a few days later I started getting really itchy red bumps...At first I thought it was fleas. I went to the Dermatologist and asked her if it could be chicken mites and she said "No, they don't cross species and won't normally bite humans." Well she was wrong! It progressed to 50 bites or more, and I still couldn't figure it out until I took one of my broodies out of her nest and literally hundreds of tiny specks were crawling all over me and biting me!!! Every morning I would wake up with 8 - 10 more really itchy bites! SO CREEPY!!!

I examined them under my loop and they were definitely fowl mites, probably transferred with the new sod that had been delivered (never have had a problem before!) They had gotten into my house on my feet and legs after going into the coop or handling the chickens, and they definitely lingered in the house long enough to eat me alive!!!

SECOND: HERE'S HOW I QUICKLY ERADICATED THEM WITHOUT BAD CHEMICALS:

1. I cleaned out all of the bedding in the coop and sprayed the entire coop with TRIAZIDE ( a synthetic pyrethrin by Spectracide that is approved for same day use on harvest of fruits and vegetables). I also sprayed the sod, and planted areas that they free-range. (Don't expose the chickens to it until it dries!)

2. I dusted the entire coop, beds, etc., with FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH. Then I added fresh bedding. I also dusted all of my chickens, paying special attention to areas like under the wings where the mites like to hide. I added some to the areas that they like to dig and dust-bathe too. NOTE: It is IMPORTANT to use only FOOD-GRADE DE!!!

PROBLEM SOLVED! The mites were gone immediately and never came back!

So based on my experience, you should buy a big bag of the food grade DE as a preventative BEFORE you have any problems, and you will never have mites, lice, or other creepy crawlers!

P.S. Don't inhale the dust as it can be irrritating to lungs. The DE is also good to add to the food as a preventative for worms...I have had 3 fecal tests from the vet on my chickens and NEVER had any worms! But again FOOD-GRADE ONLY!

Good luck!

 

[stephhassler]

I've had chickens for 2.5 years - this spring will make three years. I'm not sure I agree that mites/lice are inevitable. I had a rooster given to me once that had mites. I got rid of the mites on him before they could spread to the flock. I have never had mites/lice since. My flock free ranges and comes in contact with wild birds. Again, I realize I might get an infestation at some time in the future, but so far so good. I don't treat or use a preventative with any chemicals. Am I going to jinx myself with this post?

 

[ToxawayTiger]

DE as a preventative works for me. Over 1 year and they free-range everyday its not raining and no problems so far.

 

[O.C.Chick]

Personally, I think it's a good idea to use the DE as a preventative, both externally, and as a feed additive. People also say that worms are inevitable, but as I mentioned, all three fecal tests on my flock have been negative for worms so it's definitely working for me!

THIS THREAD IS MAKING ME ITCHY!!!

 

[Billy-jean]

Personally, I think it's a good idea to use the DE as a preventative, both externally, and as a feed additive. People also say that worms are inevitable, but as I mentioned, all three fecal tests on my flock have been negative for worms so it's definitely working for me!

THIS THREAD IS MAKING ME ITCHY!!!

I'm itchy now too!!
I have DE in the feed and coop,I dust the hens every month with it,and add it to their dustbath when the season is warm and they go outside. So far,so good..I CANNOT stand the thought of getting those mites again,,

 

[Billy-jean]

Is it ok to go in the coop without a mask just to do the daily chores,like feeding and watering?? I only use a respiratory mask and eye gloggles when I clean the coop out..???

 

[Duramaxgirl]

I have a few things to add based on what I learned this summer during a horrible and sudden experience with mite infestation./img/smilies/ep.gif



FIRST:  THEY DO BITE HUMANS...


I had sod delivered from Northern California and a few days later I started getting really itchy red bumps...At first I thought it was fleas.  I went to the Dermatologist and asked her if it could be chicken mites and she said "No, they don't cross species and won't normally bite humans."  Well she was wrong!  It progressed to 50 bites or more, and I still couldn't figure it out until I took one of my broodies out of her nest and literally hundreds of tiny specks were crawling all over me and biting me!!! Every morning I would wake up with 8 - 10 more really itchy bites!  SO CREEPY!!!


I examined them under my loop and they were definitely fowl mites, probably transferred with the new sod that had been delivered (never have had a problem before!)  They had gotten into my house on my feet and legs after going into the coop or handling the chickens, and they definitely lingered in the house long enough to eat me alive!!!


SECOND:  HERE'S HOW I QUICKLY ERADICATED THEM WITHOUT BAD CHEMICALS:


1. I cleaned out all of the bedding in the coop and sprayed the entire coop with TRIAZIDE ( a synthetic pyrethrin by Spectracide that is approved for same day use on harvest of fruits and vegetables).  I also sprayed the sod, and planted areas that they free-range.  (Don't expose the chickens to it until it dries!)


2. I dusted the entire coop, beds, etc., with FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH. Then I added fresh bedding.  I also dusted all of my chickens, paying special attention to areas like under the wings where the mites like to hide.  I added some to the areas that they like to dig and dust-bathe too.  NOTE: It is IMPORTANT to use only FOOD-GRADE DE!!! 


PROBLEM SOLVED!  The mites were gone immediately and never came back!


So based on my experience, you should buy a big bag of the food grade DE as a preventative BEFORE you have any problems, and you will never have mites, lice, or other creepy crawlers!


P.S.  Don't inhale the dust as it can be irrritating to lungs.  The DE is also good to add to the food as a preventative for worms...I have had 3 fecal tests from the vet on my chickens and NEVER had any worms!  But again FOOD-GRADE ONLY!


Good luck!

Hmmm good advice. I'm going to look up that triazide.
I keep sevin dust on hand and use DE regularly. Not sure how much the DE helps. I also use 1 part cedar shavings to 2 parts pine shavings in my coop and nesting boxes. I've also never had a mite/lice problem as of yet.
I do not buy adult birds. I just add day old Chicks or purchase hatching eggs.

 

[EggSpudition]

check out http://boisebackyardchickens.blogspot.com/2011/04/chicken-mites-not-so-glamorous-side-of.html

Lots of good information there! Very funny too if I do say so myself.

Good luck and great topic!

- Jane

 

[JacquiJ]

These comments are just what I was lookin for! Thank you!!!