Poultry Red Mite & The Best Products To Treat Them

Poultry red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are small blood sucking parasites that will infest not only your chickens, but their enclosures too.

They are the most significant mites that effect laying hens worldwide and pose a serious threat to animal health & welfare. 

They can be present any time of year, however they are most active during the summer in which the conditions are ideal for breeding.

Lifecycle

The lifecycle of the poultry red mite can be as little as 7 days (under ideal conditions) Because of this, infestations can easily get out of control.  

They are large enough to be visible and will usually hide during the day and become more active at night when the birds roost.

Regularly checking your housing will help identify if you have a problem. Common hiding places are in cracks, and crevasses including screw holes & ledges.

Symptoms

Signs of infection include restless birds that may not want to go into the housing, anaemia, loss of condition, excessive itching, blood spots on eggs, drop in egg production and even death.

Treatment

Treatment includes the use of a topical solution to use on the birds, and it’s important that you treat the housing too. If you don’t treat the housing, birds will easily become re-infected.

It’s also a good idea to administer a multivitamin to your birds to give them a boost in time of burden.

In store we stock a wide range of treatments for both the birds and the housing. Click HERE to view our range.

- Total Mite Kill Liquid

Highly effective insecticide and multi-purpose disinfectant cleaner for chicken housing. Kills mites, lice and other crawling insects. Formulated with an oily base, which penetrates deep into cracks and crevices of the housing. Apply initially then repeat three days later, then weekly for a month. Use as part of a weekly cleaning routine to deter pesky pets.

- Red Mite Powder

Gives lasting protection against mites and lice. Containing a new generation insect repellent this product can be applied directly onto the bird. Simply apply the powder directly from the shaker over the affected areas of the bird. Contains p-menthane-38-diol. Use in conjunction with Poultry Louse Powder.

- Canovel Chicken Home Blitz 2PK

Fumigation twin-pack that kills poultry red mite. Also kills other flying and crawling insects. Also suitable for killing other flying and crawling insects.