Red Mites!

[LE808]

I'm currently dealing with my first infestation of red mites. The thing I am finding most frustrating is that I have spent a fortune on various sprays treatments that don't seem to be doing anything.

I am currently putting down about a half inch deep layer of d Earth on the floor of the coop. I am finding every morning that there are groups of red mite on the d earth and are still there at the end of the day which are still slowly moving (picture below) is this them dying? There is a new group every morning and I am also applying the d earth to my girls feathers, under their wings, vent and onto their skin at the back of their necks daily. Am I missing anything? I just feel like I am not getting anywhere!

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I think with mites what you need to do is find or make some sort of oil spray. It coats their bodies and suffocates them from what I have heard. It worked for me but I was dealing with just a few mites on a fruit tree, not in a chicken coop. I believe the spray I used called for mostly water, some vegetable oil and liquid handsoap... not sure on the exact measurements. Maybe worth a try but you would need a lot of it.