white leg mites

[margieathome]

Is there a season when these mites are dormant?
the legs are all clean and healthy
I treat with T-tree oil
Can I stop treating for the winter?
Thank you, margie

 

[nuthatched]

Hi there, how cold are your winters?
Tea tree oil can be toxic to chickens, I wouldn't recommend using it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is there a season when these mites are dormant?
the legs are all clean and healthy
I treat with T-tree oil
Can I stop treating for the winter?
Thank you, margie

Do you mean Scaly Leg Mites?

If the legs are all clean and healthy, is there a reason to treat?

 

[margieathome]

Do you mean Scaly Leg Mites?

If the legs are all clean and healthy, is there a reason to treat?

 

[margieathome]

Yes, I mean Scaly Leg Mites.

The legs are clean now, My objective is to PREVENT future infestation. This is the second time I have them. I was told they live in the soil. That a five year span without chickens would clear the area of mites.

I waited five years to get new chickens. Within 6mos I saw the first sign.

So now that we are clean on the legs, I am wanting to continue using the spray I got from Tractor Supply that is a concoction of some sort. By reading the label I decided that it was a safe product.
I would like to know if these mites have a dormancy period so I could not waste the product or over treat the chickens.

Otherwise, I am looking for suggestions about maybe once a week or once a month or two or three times a week, etc.

Any futher comments or information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, I mean Scaly Leg Mites.

The legs are clean now, My objective is to PREVENT future infestation. This is the second time I have them. I was told they live in the soil. That a five year span without chickens would clear the area of mites.

I waited five years to get new chickens. Within 6mos I saw the first sign.

So now that we are clean on the legs, I am wanting to continue using the spray I got from Tractor Supply that is a concoction of some sort. By reading the label I decided that it was a safe product.
I would like to know if these mites have a dormancy period so I could not waste the product or over treat the chickens.

Otherwise, I am looking for suggestions about maybe once a week or once a month or two or three times a week, etc.

Any futher comments or information would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, I see, you want to try to prevent them from returning.

SLM live under the scales, so applying an oil/ointment or cream to the legs every few weeks should help deter them from taking hold.
Vaseline is a popular treatment, just rub the legs with vaseline. Others use castor oil (of course you can dilute that with a carrier oil). Nu Stock cream is also an effective treatment.

SLM can somewhat migrate around while the birds are roosting, so treating your coop ever few months with a Permethrin based poultry spray may be helpful in keep them eliminated as well.