Red mites

[Mamatomany123]

How do I check for red mites? I was just outside working on the coop and my 1 year old daughter told me there was a bug on her. I looked and it looked like a red mite. Of course I squished it before getting a picture. Blood smeared. I check one chicken and didnt see anything but not sure if I checked correctly either. And if I do have them, best way to get rid of them? This is my first time owning chickens so still kind of new to this.

 

[sourland]

Red mites hide in crevices in the coop during the day and come out to feed at night. One sign is chickens stamping their feet on the roosts. After dark check the roosts for the presence of red mites. Treatment requires a total cleaning of the coop and spraying of the roosts, corners, cracks and crevices where they hide.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Red mites hide in crevices in the coop during the day and come out to feed at night. One sign is chickens stamping their feet on the roosts. After dark check the roosts for the presence of red mites. Treatment requires a total cleaning of the coop and spraying of the roosts, corners, cracks and crevices where they hide.

Ok, so I wouldnt see anything on the chickens then? I'll head our there in about 30 minutes or so to check. How do I check? I think I've read to rub a paper towel along the roost? And if there are some what's the best spray to use that's not too expensive? I'll spend money if I have to but things are a little tight right now with everything going on.

 

[Frugirl]

I'm not helping but adding a question...so sorry about that. Would mites lead to red blotches on their rear end? I keep looking for mites/lice but can't find anything....I haven't gone out at night time though specifically so I could try that.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok, so I wouldnt see anything on the chickens then? I'll head our there in about 30 minutes or so to check. How do I check? I think I've read to rub a paper towel along the roost? And if there are some what's the best spray to use that's not too expensive? I'll spend money if I have to but things are a little tight right now with everything going on.

Yes try the paper towel trick at night, that should give you your answer.

Permethrin is the current go-to in the US. A liquid concentrate + a plastic gallon sprayer is fairly inexpensive. Even a small bottle of concentrate dilutes out to many gallons, plenty to treat even a large coop several times over.