My Ladies have Mites?

[Simmons Homestead]

So today I was out feeding the girls and after I was done, I noticed three small, dark-colored bugs on my arm. I'd held one of my ladies, but they've never had mites before since they have a nice, big area to dust-bathe. (But I have recently cleaned out and added new dirt to this area, and I think they're afraid of the new sand...)
I looked it up and sure enough, they were mites. I have put another bag of sand in hopes that they will start dust-bathing in it, but I'm going out of town next week.
What is an easy, safe and fast way to get rid of mites before I leave?

 

[Acre4Me]

Permethrin. Easily available as a concentrate in small bottles at livestock/farm supply stores. We use a garden sprayer and spray coop floor/walls/crevices. Then spray each chicken around vent, under wings, between legs (where thighs and bellies touch). We hold them upside down to do this). Toss in clean coop when sprayed. Then to really get rid of them spray again in 7-10 days to kill the newly hatched babies.

Some people use a garden dust marked for dusting poultry (label will indicate this as a use). However, we’ve not done that method.

You can add wood ash to their dusting spots too - helps to get rid of pests when they dust bathe.

 

[Simmons Homestead]

Permethrin. Easily available as a concentrate in small bottles at livestock/farm supply stores. We use a garden sprayer and spray coop floor/walls/crevices. Then spray each chicken around vent, under wings, between legs (where thighs and bellies touch). We hold them upside down to do this). Toss in clean coop when sprayed. Then to really get rid of them spray again in 7-10 days to kill the newly hatched babies.

Some people use a garden dust marked for dusting poultry (label will indicate this as a use). However, we’ve not done that method.

You can add wood ash to their dusting spots too - helps to get rid of pests when they dust bathe.

Okay. I have two cats who like to hang around the coop, is that safe for them? I read that Permethrin is highly toxic to bees and cats.

 

[Acre4Me]

We spray and it dries- no problem with our one cat (a barn cat).

We usually spray

That is a reason I have never used the dust As it seems like it could have more accidental exposure to other animals.

 

[Simmons Homestead]

Okay, thank you. I will try that. How much? I have four chickens, and a pretty big coop for them. (Do you think DE could work as well?)

 

[Acre4Me]

Okay, thank you. I will try that. How much? I have four chickens, and a pretty big coop for them. (Do you think DE could work as well?)

We just sprayed a few days ago. I used 1 oz per gallon of water in my garden sprayer (which holds 1.5 gallons, but I only made up 1 gallon of spray). This was enough for many birds and the whole coop interior and exterior and railings.

 

[Acre4Me]

Do you think DE could work as well?

I have not used DE for this purpose. I have DE, but hesitate to use it bc it can be a lung irritant. It is powdery and light and will become airborne easily when they dust bath, etc. It can be used more as a preventative rather than a cure. DE, by itself, will not get rid of the mites, when you have a problem. Others on BYC that have used DE seem to report it works best as a preventative, but does not eradicate. So, if you have DE, then use it as part of your chicken keeping toolbox. If you have not bought DE, then Permethrin is your friend at this stage of eradicating a current mite issue.

 

[cmom]

Permethrin is my choice. There is no egg withdrawal. I use the powder on the birds and in the nest boxes and I spray thoroughly in the coops. If you have a TSC they carry the permethrin powder, premixed spray bottles and the concentrate. I use the concentrate in a gallon sprayer with a wand which helps me reach the hard to reach areas. Repeat spraying is necessary because it does not kill the mite eggs. Good luck...

 

[cmom]

I have used DE in the past and it didn't do anything.

 

[Folly's place]

I spray the birds at night when they are roosting, so much less drama. Also clean and spray the coop, walls, floor, everything. You can use the permethrin powder, at least on the clean floor, but spray is easier and much less expensive.
DE won't do it!
Keep your cats away from the coop and birds until everything is dry, so the next day. It is dangerous to cats, but the dry spray on the walls and birds won't affect them.
I don't use insecticides outside, trying to protect the environment. Just retreat in ten days or so, if needed.
As long as your birds go outdoors, and wild songbirds are there too, mites and lice will turn up sometimes. I check a few birds every week or two, at night when they are roosting, and plan to treat everyone when the mites appear again.
Mary