White Mite Infestation - Please Help 😭

[sorenheart]

My flock and I are currently dealing with a minor sticktight flea problem, so I went out to check one of my roosters this evening, and the back of his head was COVERED in these crawling white mites. I checked one of my other birds and saw one on her as well, but she probably had more. I’m currently on the verge of a panic attack because soon after I started finding them on ME - on my clothing and my skin . I tossed my shirt in the garbage and took a hot shower, but I don’t even want to go near my chickens anymore. It seems like they spread very quickly. My pest control guy is supposed to come spray the yard, coop, and run tomorrow for the fleas. What can I do for the mites? Any one and done solutions? I heard some people use frontline or revolution on their chickens. I’m happy to do that if it’s a guaranteed fix lol. My chickens are solely pets, so permanent egg withdrawal is not an issue. Any tips are appreciated!! Currently trying not to cry about this haha

 

[GodLovesU]

It’s ok! Can you post a picture of the mites? If you would like to look into permethrin as a treatment option I have an article here.

 

[sorenheart]

It’s ok! Can you post a picture of the mites? If you would like to look into permethrin as a treatment option I have an article here.

I have permethrin, but I’m trying to avoid having to continuously treat. This is seriously, seriously freaking me out, and I don’t want to have to worry about it for the next month . They are definitely mites though because my chickens have had lice before, and they look nothing like that unfortunately

 

[GodLovesU]

I have permethrin, but I’m trying to avoid having to continuously treat. This is seriously, seriously freaking me out, and I don’t want to have to worry about it for the next month . They are definitely mites though because my chickens have had lice before, and they look nothing like that unfortunately

I’ll tag a few educators who may be able to better help.
@azygous @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

 

[nuthatched]

Clean out your coop entirely, burn the litter and bedding. Treat the coop and your birds with permethrine based spray or powder, every nook and cranny.
6 days later, treat the birds again and you should be fine.

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure you know what your pest control guy will be using, I'd bet it's not a good/ safe/ approved product for chickens or their environment!
Permethrin and spinosad work fine and can be used on and around your birds safely, with no egg withdrawal, and most other products aren't fine at all out there!
Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree that I would not let your guy spray your coop with anything but permethrin or Elector PSP ( with spinosad.) Other insecticides can be toxic to your chickens. Post any pictures of the bugs you are seeing.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some good links a about common lice and mite infestation:
https://poultryhealthinspection.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk6711/files/inline-files/Lice & Mites of Poultry - McCrea 8162_0.pdf

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

X3 Make sure you know what the pest guy is using in the coop.

How have you been treating the Sticktight Fleas? This article may help with those too. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...tight-fleas-in-poultry-with-permethrin.74325/

I'm sorry that you're dealing with this. While Poultry Mites cannot survive on humans, they can get on you and even cause irritation.
@rosemarythyme wrote about them getting on people in this post, you may find this of help too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mites-in-the-coop-and-house.1546417/post-26109086

 

[sorenheart]

Make sure you know what your pest control guy will be using, I'd bet it's not a good/ safe/ approved product for chickens or their environment!
Permethrin and spinosad work fine and can be used on and around your birds safely, with no egg withdrawal, and most other products aren't fine at all out there!
Mary

He’s been coming for the past two years. It’s some sort of permethrin product. I asked him a lot of questions in the beginning to make sure it wouldn’t negatively affect the chickens, but I don’t remember the name now. I’ve also consulted multiple vets about it, and they said that the products pest control companies tend to use are safe once dry, and it’s very unlikely to be harming the chickens in any way (or I would have definitely figured it out by now).