Mites or Lice

[Urban Waddler]

So, I’ve noticed little bugs crawling round the area where my coop is and even getting in the house. Sometimes my two Pekin Ducks will itch their heads with their feet, but it never seems excessive. They have a fresh pool everyday and plenty of water. I’m wondering if I should be trying to get rid of these bugs though and how exactly to do it. I have heard about powders and sprays, but I don’t understand if I have to remove the ducks from their home for a while to use them, or if we have to get rid of their eggs for a while? I attached a photo. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

That looks like a tick from my expirence but let's get some opinions.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I thought ducks/water fowl didn't get mites/lice? I maybe wrong but agree with FarmerGirl101, it don't look like a mite, mites are really tiny & found (chickens) around the vent area, under the wings & for sure on the roosts.

@WVduckchick @BantyChooks @casportpony @dawg53
Thank you all in advance for your help in this

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I thought ducks/water fowl didn't get mites/lice? I maybe wrong but agree with FarmerGirl101, it don't look like a mite, mites are really tiny & found (chickens) around the vent area, under the wings & for sure on the roosts.

@WVduckchick @BantyChooks @casportpony @dawg53
Thank you all in advance for your help in this

I don't know if waterfowl get lice or mites. Let me go check

Edit: So I think that they can get external parasites but it isn't as common as they bathe in water drowning them.

 

[chickens really]

Looks like ticks to me too. Check the Ducks for ticks.

 

[Urban Waddler]

That looks like a tick from my expirence but let's get some opinions.

It is very very small. I zoomed as far in as I could for the picture. It is no bigger than a grain of sugar. I do not believe it is a tick, but my understanding is that ticks and notes have similar shape—one is just really small.

 

[Kiki]

I can't tell what your bug is.
I would invest in some permethrin to get rid of them though.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

Permethrin Concentrate, Martin's on Left - Durvet on right

• Kiki
• Jul 28, 2018
• 2

 

[Urban Waddler]

I thought ducks/water fowl didn't get mites/lice? I maybe wrong but agree with FarmerGirl101, it don't look like a mite, mites are really tiny & found (chickens) around the vent area, under the wings & for sure on the roosts.

@WVduckchick @BantyChooks @casportpony @dawg53
Thank you all in advance for your help in this

Thanks for your response. This image is zoomed way in. I would say the bug is the size of a grain of sugar. I have noticed the girls biting under their wing. From pictures I looked at, I think it’s a mite. I am just wondering what to do. Some people say they use DE, others do a stronger pray or powder. I just don’t know how to do this or how to make sure I don’t hurt the birds or keep them out of their home for too long. Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

DE will not work...don't waste your time with it. Get permethrin and spray ever crack in the coop today and once a week for 3 weeks straight. Spray all birds too.

 

[Urban Waddler]

I can't tell what your bug is.
I would invest in some permethrin to get rid of them though.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

Permethrin Concentrate, Martin's on Left - Durvet on right

• Kiki
• Jul 28, 2018
• 2

Thank you!!! When you spray this, do you remove all bedding first, and and should you let it sit? I can completely clean out the coop, but I don’t where to house the girls at night if it needs to sit, and then how often would I be completely removing all shavings and hay? Thanks again!