Tiny red bugs found in feed bags

[ArmelChix]

Twice now I have opened feed bags to find them swarming with tiny little red bugs that look like mites. Has anybody else had this experience or know what they are? They're too small to get in a photo.
The first time it happened was in a bag of organic feed that I had for a few months before I opened it. The second time it happened, it was not organic feed, and it was the same - swarms of a tiny red bug, like in the first experience. This time it occurred in an opened bag that I had stopped using and was sitting unused for a couple of months before the bugs showed up.
Does anybody know what they might be? Are they chicken mites or plant mites?
I didn't want to handle the feed and spread the bugs everywhere so I had to eliminate the bugs in the feed and then throw the feed away. I closed the feed up in the metal trash can and left it in the sun for several weeks. Later I opened it and didn't find any bugs anymore. Then I threw the bag away.
I only have four hens so I don't go through a bag of feed quickly, but it's more convenient to buy a couple of bags when I'm there, rather than make multiple trips. After these experiences I'm beginning to think that I can't buy a bag of feed from any manufacturer and hold on to it for a few months before using it.
Any thoughts anyone?

 

[Debbie292d]

Most commercial feed contains diatomaceous earth that would kill any larvae in the grains so they wouldn't turn to mites.

I do not know if what you get has that in it, but you may want to mix some into it and seal it back up for several days. It's still fresh, I assume, as in not moldy or rancid.

As long as there are no longer live mites in the feed, it would be safe for chickens to eat it. The only way I'd know to check is dig deep and get a sample of it in a jar, seal the jar, then go elsewhere and dump it in pan or bucket of water with a little soap in it.

Or, ball up a paper towel and swoosh it around in the feed. They would show up as red on your paper towel.

 

[ArmelChix]

Most commercial feed contains diatomaceous earth that would kill any larvae in the grains so they wouldn't turn to mites.

I do not know if what you get has that in it, but you may want to mix some into it and seal it back up for several days. It's still fresh, I assume, as in not moldy or rancid.

As long as there are no longer live mites in the feed, it would be safe for chickens to eat it. The only way I'd know to check is dig deep and get a sample of it in a jar, seal the jar, then go elsewhere and dump it in pan or bucket of water with a little soap in it.

Or, ball up a paper towel and swoosh it around in the feed. They would show up as red on your paper towel.

Good ideas for checking. I just knew I didn't want to risk mites escaping.

 

[Debbie292d]

Good ideas for checking. I just knew I didn't want to risk mites escaping.

They are more than likely not the same kind of mite that like our chickens, more of a grain mite that likes grain, not blood, but I wouldn't take any chances either!