Prepping the Coop for Winter---Mite prevention?

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Okay, as I have exhibited countless times here, I am an overthinker.
So....I have been thinking of prepping my coop for winter.
A big cleanout, replacing all bedding. Scrubbing the interior and touching up paint scrapes.
Question:
Would anyone here (the REAL chicken people, as opposed to my sad sorry newbie self) recommend spraying the coop with permethrin or dusting with permethrin dust? I was considering hitting the nooks and crannies and the floor underneath the vinyl flooring overlay.
I peel back the vinyl flooring on a regular basis and haven't seen any mites or lice. I check the girls, too, and haven't seen anything. Even grabbed their shocked selves in the dark and peeled back their wings and assaulted their hindquarters looking for invaders. None.
But wise chickenfolk here say that mites etc will most certainly attack eventually so I would like to be proactive.
TIA for any advice, even if it is a hearty slap to the head.

 

[venymae]

Our chooks went three winters in a coop without spraying for mites, and we never got mites or lice. I would not invite an unnecessary chemical into your coop unless you need to. Especially dust as chickens have sensitive respiratory systems. Save it for when you actually need it, and with your good maintenance I'm sure you will catch anything before it can become a problem.

 

[chickens really]

I only use the powder in the spring when I do a big clean....Not needed really with winter on its way.....

 

[NancyNurseCxMama]

Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

I agree, to a point. Yesterday I found mites on my big rooster, and sadly will be out there spraying everything and everybody very soon! It is easier to spray when you are doing your fall cleanout, if that's something that you do, and a lot more pleasant than that fun January coop treatment. If there were no wild birds invading the coop, it wouldn't be a problem either. Mary

 

[Trish1974]

Thank you for asking this question @NancyNurseCxMama, as I've been wondering the past few days if mites are a concern in the winter.

 

[Folly's place]

My first mite disaster was over winter; I didn't know better, and had three nice hens die before I figured out that it was a severe mite infestation. Awful! I still feel very guilty about it, and never again!
I also lost my mind and powdered the 35 survivors without wearing a good face mask, and found myself at Urgent Care (almost the hospital) with a bad asthma experience. The birds did fine, and I took months to recover. Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

I personally do not treat for something unless I see a reason to treat. I do believe in checking to see if you have a reason to treat. I know a lot of people use pesticides all the time. I don't see any reason to help them develop pesticide-resistant strains. In Mary's position I'd be out there treating all of them as soon as possible.

Are mites or lice inevitable? Very few things in life are inevitable, though some things are more likely than others. I've had chickens here about ten years. I've not had any worms, mites, or lice yet. That may change next time I check. I may go another ten years without any. The longer you keep chickens the more likely it is that you will see worms, mites, or lice but there are no guarantees either way.

 

[Folly's place]

BTW, yesterday I had fecal run at the vet's, and it came back negative! Not that it's a sure thing, but still really good. Twenty-five years of chickens, and a negative fecal!!! Mary