We’ve got a coop with a million of these live or mites?

[k2panman]

Here are some close up photos of our pests. We were gone for 2 weeks and came back to a real mess. We have 7 chickens, a predator proof coop with an automatic door, 5 gallon bucket feeders and water buckets with the tickle nozzles. They free range on 5 acres. When we got home, besides having 2 broody hens sitting in 2 of the 3 nest boxes, eggs laid everywhere around the house and broken shells scattered about, we found the coop crawling with these critters. Terri cleaned out the coop (8’x8’x7’ all hardware cloth walls, metal roof and painted 2x4 construction) using straight vinegar and borax. We had a layer of pine shavings that we removed and I’m burning now. As I type this, I’m constantly finding another of these critters crawling on me. What are they and what is the best way to eliminate them? The broody hens have been dunked in water and are staying out of the coop for now.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

View attachment 1803620 View attachment 1803621 View attachment 1803622 View attachment 1803623 View attachment 1803624 Here are some close up photos of our pests. We were gone for 2 weeks and came back to a real mess. We have 7 chickens, a predator proof coop with an automatic door, 5 gallon bucket feeders and water buckets with the tickle nozzles. They free range on 5 acres. When we got home, besides having 2 broody hens sitting in 2 of the 3 nest boxes, eggs laid everywhere around the house and broken shells scattered about, we found the coop crawling with these critters. Terri cleaned out the coop (8’x8’x7’ all hardware cloth walls, metal roof and painted 2x4 construction) using straight vinegar and borax. We had a layer of pine shavings that we removed and I’m burning now. As I type this, I’m constantly finding another of these critters crawling on me. What are they and what is the best way to eliminate them? The broody hens have been dunked in water and are staying out of the coop for now.

Ugh...They look like mites, not sure of the kind, but possibly northern fowl mites. Are they brown?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

If I was you, I would get some elector PSP and spray the inside of the coop and dip your chickens.

 

[getaclue]

Mites.

Dust the chickens with this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K7C4VLK/?tag=backy-20

Spray the coop with this, mixed according to directions. (only get the 10% solution)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR1UGSI/?tag=backy-20

Repeat in a week. If needed, repeat a week after that (usually only needed with Northern Fowl Mites).

 

[Jjdesmo11]

If I was you, I would get some elector PSP and spray the inside of the coop and dip your chickens.

What concentration do you use for a elector psp dip? 9cc to 1gal?

 

[cmom]

When I had an infestation in a coop, I sprayed all of the coops as a precaution with permethrin spray. I repeated the spraying weekly for awhile thoroughly spraying everything in the coop. It does not kill the mite eggs so repeat spraying was necessary. No more mites.

 

[getaclue]

I make sure the chickens get dusted first, that way they get immediate relief from those little blood suckers. I suggested permethrin dust. When the chickens are taken care of, that's when I mix the liquid permethrin, and spray down the coops, especially the roost area. Spray anything made of wood, and all cracks, and crevices where they will hide. Prior to spraying the coops, I remove the chickens, water buckets, and feeders. I also remove all nesting/bedding material, and dispose of it. The nest boxes get sprayed down when the coop does. After spraying, I head to the area where the items are that I removed. I use soap and water to wash the feeders, and water buckets inside and out. Make sure to get crevices, and crannies where mites might hide on the outside, and underneath the buckets, and feeders. When all that is done, the coop is usually dry enough I can put fresh bedding in the nest boxes, put the water buckets back in, and fill them, then make sure the feeders are dry, and refill them. In 7 days, I repeat. Between the first, and second time you spray, take a flashlight, and go out at night. See if you see any mites on any of the wood, roosts, etc. Northern Fowl mites come out at night. If you see them, after you repeat dusting, and spraying in 7 days, wait 7 more days, and do it again. Usually after the 3rd. time, they're gone.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

What concentration do you use for a elector psp dip? 9cc to 1gal?

I use 1 tablespoon to 1 gallon of water. If I was you, I would make up a few gallons and dip your chickens first, then strain the feathers and debris and use that in your sprayer.

 

[Henriettamom919]

You've already been given the best advice so I'll just offer well wishes for a speedy removal and recovery for everyone!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Vinegar won't help. You need permethrin or similar pesticide.

Lice are insects so have 6 legs. Mites are arthropods so they have 8 legs.