Chicken mites are a common external parasite that can plague backyard flocks These tiny, nearly invisible bugs feast on your chickens’ blood, causing irritation, discomfort, and even anaemia if left unchecked. While mites are never fun to deal with, the good news is that with the right approach, you can eliminate them from your coop and birds safely and effectively.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about eradicating chicken mites for good, including:
What Are Chicken Mites?
Chicken mites are tiny parasitic bugs that belong to the arachnid family There are several different species of mites that affect poultry, with the most common being
- Northern fowl mites – most prevalent in cooler climates. They live on the chicken’s body.
- Red mites – more common in warm, humid areas. They hide in coops and come out to feed at night.
- Scaly leg mites – burrow under scales on chickens’ legs and feet.
Mites are transmitted bird-to-bird through direct contact. They can also be carried in by wild birds or rodents. An infestation spreads rapidly once established.
Recognizing a Mite Infestation
Detecting mites early allows quicker, more effective treatment. Signs of an infestation include:
- Excessive preening and feather loss
- Anemia – pale combs and wattles
- Irritated skin and visible mites around vents and under wings
- Decreased egg production and appetite
- Mite spots in nesting boxes
Inspect birds closely, especially in warm seasons when mites thrive. Check vents, under wings, and legs. Look for small crawling bugs or raised scales if scaly leg mites are suspected.
Killing and Preventing Chicken Mites
Once an infestation is confirmed, prompt treatment of coop and birds is key. Integrated pest management using natural deterrents alongside targeted medication works best.
Medication Options
- Ivermectin – Controls Northern fowl mites. Give orally, repeat in 10 days.
- Permethrin – For red mites. Apply to birds, coop, and dust baths.
- Poultry Protector – Natural product for dust baths to repel external parasites.
Always follow label directions carefully. Rotate treatments periodically to prevent resistance.
Natural Deterrents
- Herbs – Lavender, mint, garlic in nesting boxes deter mites.
- Diatomaceous earth – Dust bath additive that kills mites through desiccation.
- Neem oil – Repels and kills mites when sprayed on coop and birds.
- Garlic – Fed to chickens or added to water, repels mites.
Use natural options preventatively and in conjunction with medications as needed for heavy infestations.
Coop Treatment
Eliminating mites from the coop itself is crucial. Steps include:
- Remove all litter and bedding, discard off-site.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect coop and all equipment.
- Spray coop down with neem oil or poultry-safe disinfectant.
- Allow coop to fully dry before re-bedding.
- Dust coop with diatomaceous earth before allowing chickens back in.
Starving mites of hosts and hiding places in the coop will prevent re-infestation.
Ongoing Prevention
Prevention is key to avoid dealing with heavy mite infestations:
- Quarantine and treat new birds before introducing to flock
- Discourage wild birds and rodents from entering coop
- Provide frequent dust bathing opportunities
- Use herbs and natural deterrents regularly in coop
- Check for mites during routine flock health checks
With vigilance and integrated pest control methods, chicken mites can be effectively eliminated from your flock and coop. Consistent prevention will keep these pesky parasites from returning!
Can Humans Get Chicken Mites?
While able to bite humans, chicken mites cannot actually survive or reproduce on human hosts. Mite bites may cause minor irritation or itching. Wear protective garments and gloves when handling infested chickens or cleaning an infested coop to minimize contact.
The Bottom Line
Chicken mites are a common challenge for backyard poultry keepers. But through close inspection, prompt treatment, and ongoing prevention, you can protect your flock from mite infestations. Natural remedies combined with targeted medication and rigorous coop disinfection provides the best chance of eradicating mites for good. With a proactive pest management approach, your chickens can continue thriving – mite-free!
What Do Chicken Mites Look Like?
Chicken mites are extremely small bugs, or external parasites, that can live both on and off their host. The general shape and color of these small parasites varies depending on the species of parasite. The best way to identify different species of external parasite is by the shape, color, or number of legs the parasite has.
Here are three common mites that can affect chickens and what they look like:
- Northern fowl mites – dark in color, pale if young or if they haven’t fed recently, eight legs, extremely tiny and barely visible with the naked eye
- Red mites – oblong shape, bright red especially after feeding, eight legs
- Scaly leg mites – type of burrowing mite, not visible to the naked eye, easily diagnosed by signs and symptoms
Another external parasite that can live on chickens is lice. Lice are larger than mites. They only have six legs, are longer in shape, and are often pale in color.
Mites spread to chickens through direct contact. Chickens can get mites from new birds being added to the flock who have external parasites. They can also get external parasites from wild birds, which can be a concern for free-range flocks or if wild birds have access to your flock’s feed or enclosure. Once one chicken has external parasites, the parasites spread quickly to the whole flock.
Mites can live for up to three weeks without a host. They can burrow into cracks and crevices of coops and equipment and will stay in the environment until they can get back onto a host (a chicken).
How to Apply Mite Sprays
Chicken mite treatment sprays should be applied directly to the chicken’s skin. You will want to pay special attention to areas where the mites like to congregate, such as around the vent, under the wings, and in the head feathers of crested chicken breeds.
Applying a chicken mite treatment spray is usually a two-person job. One person will need to securely hold the chicken while the other person applies the spray. The best way to hold a chicken when applying the spray is by gently gripping both of the chicken’s legs and using the other hand to steady the bird in the palm of your hand. Then flip the bird so that its back is against your chest. Once in an inverted position, you can gently tilt the bird so that its rear is facing outward and easy for the other person to access and apply the mite treatment. Treat areas such as the head and under the wings by holding the bird gently against your body while securing its legs with one hand and its wings with your other hand.
The person who is applying the mite treatment spray will need to gently part the feathers so that the spray gets directly on the chicken’s skin. When applying the spray to the head region of a chicken, be careful not to get the spray in the chicken’s eyes, nostrils, or ears. The same method of application can be used when treating chickens with diatomaceous earth powder as well.
For spray solutions that have to be diluted, such as garlic juice or Spinosad, frequently shake the bottle as you treat each bird in your flock. Shaking the bottle will ensure the solution is thoroughly mixed and that the solution doesn’t separate. Spray each area that needs to be treated very thoroughly, but don’t soak the chicken. The chicken’s skin should look wet, but its feathers should be mostly dry. You will need to treat all the chickens in your flock even if you don’t see live parasites on every bird.
You will also need to treat the chicken coop and enclosure since chicken mites can live in the environment for a limited amount of time. If the coop and enclosure are not treated, the live parasites can crawl back onto the birds and cause a re-infestation. To treat the coop and enclosure, remove as much litter as possible and remove your flock’s feed and water.
Apply the chosen mite treatment liberally within the coop and enclosure. If the treatment was a spray treatment, allow the coop to dry before putting fresh litter back down and putting your flock’s food and water back into the coop. If you are using a Spinosad treatment, you only need to remove the feed and water from the coop. You can treat the litter right along with the rest of the coop.
For all chicken mite treatments except Spinosad, you will need to retreat your flock within 5-7 days to kill off any mites that hatch from the egg masses. Sometimes you may need to re-treat your flock two or three more times after the initial treatment to kill off any mites that hatch out. It’s always a good idea to keep checking for chicken mites for two to three weeks after treating your flock so you can catch any nit hatches before they become an infestation again.
Get Rid of Chicken LICE and MITES the BEST Way with ONE TREATMENT! Elector PSP
FAQ
What is the fastest way to get rid of mites on chickens?
Diatomaceous Earth – Diatom exoskeletons slice external parasites and dehydrate them, which can be an effective way to kill off live chicken mites.May 4, 2023
What kills mites instantly?
Steam cleaning or washing items in hot water is a surefire way to kill and eliminate mites of all types. Use a steam cleaner to heat treat your carpeting, furniture, and bedding. Wash the bedspreads, clothing, and other fabrics in hot water and dry clean them at a high temperature.
Does Dawn dish soap kill poultry mites?
Dawn Dishsoap can kill the mites on your hens if you’re willing to give your girls an actual bath. Only bathe your hens during warm weather though.