Keeping Red Mites At Bay!

When it comes to keeping your chickens happy and healthy, dealing with pesky pests is an essential part of their care. These unwanted visitors can live on your chickens or hide out in their housing, causing real problems for your flock if not addressed. It's important to identify these pests early, tackle infestations swiftly, and put measures in place to prevent future outbreaks.

Red mites are particularly troublesome as they live in the housing of your chickens and come out after dark to feed on them. These tiny parasites can have a devastating impact on your flock if left untreated.

How Can I Tell If I Have a Red Mite Infestation?
Heavy infestations can seriously affect the health of your chickens, leading to anaemia, reduced egg laying, and in severe cases, even death. However, there are more subtle signs to look out for before it gets to that point:

• Chickens may avoid entering the coop at night.
• Tiny blood spots may appear on eggs.
• Your chickens might seem more irritated with each other than usual, or appear pale or anaemic.
• You may spot mites or their faeces (which looks like grey ash) in the crevices of the coop.

How Do I Tackle a Red Mite Infestation?
Red mites live in the housing, so it’s crucial to keep up a regular inspection and cleaning routine to stay ahead of them. A weekly four-step programme is recommended:

1. Spray the Coop with Nettex Total Mite Kill Ready To Use Spray – This spray will disinfect and kill mites. Its special coating agent continues to act on the mites even after drying. Remember, this product is for housing only, not for direct use on chickens. Always ensure the coop is well-ventilated and dry before allowing your chickens back in.
2. Target Hard-to-Reach Areas with Nettex Total Mite Kill Aerosol Spray – Use this spray in the cracks and crevices where mites like to hide.
3. Apply Nettex Total Hygiene Powder – Once the housing is dry, sprinkle this powder liberally over the bedding, perches, dust baths, and nest boxes. Then, refill the coop with fresh bedding.
4. For Active Infestations – Follow the same steps, but repeat the spray process three days later to ensure the mites are fully eradicated. After that, switch to the weekly preventative regime.

Tackling Other Pesky Pests
It’s not just red mites you need to worry about. Mites, lice, and other parasites can also target your chickens. Here’s a basic guide to keeping them at bay:

1. Thoroughly Clean the Coop – Remove all faeces, dry matter, and bedding.
2. Use Nettex Total Mite Kill Ready To Use Solution – This will disinfect the housing and kill mites and lice.
3. Apply Nettex Buz Busters Louse Powder – Once the coop is dry, apply this powder thoroughly before replacing bedding and roosting bars.
4. By staying vigilant and keeping your chickens’ housing clean, you can prevent infestations and keep your flock in top health.