Chicken mites can be a real headache for backyard chicken keepers. These tiny parasites not only cause discomfort but can also lead to serious health problems for your flock if left untreated. The good news? With the right approach, you can effectively get rid of chicken mites and protect your birds from future infestations. Let’s dive into how you can tackle these pesky mites with practical, easy-to-follow steps.
What Are Chicken Mites and Why Are They a Problem?
Chicken mites are microscopic parasites that feed on the blood of chickens, causing itching, irritation, and stress. They often hide in the coop during the day and come out at night to feed, making them tricky to spot early on. If untreated, mites multiply rapidly, leading to anemia, decreased egg production, and even death in severe cases. So, prompt action is key.
Step 1: Identify the Infestation Early
Look for signs like:
– Chickens scratching or pecking at themselves constantly
– Scaly or irritated skin, especially around the vent, under wings, and on legs
– Restlessness or decreased egg laying
– Tiny dark spots moving on the chicken’s skin or feathers
Early detection helps you act before the mite population explodes.
Step 2: Clean and Treat the Coop Thoroughly
Mites don’t just live on your chickens-they hide in cracks, bedding, and roosts. Cleaning the coop is crucial to break the mite life cycle.
– Remove all bedding and litter; do not compost it as mites can survive and spread
– Scrub all surfaces, including nesting boxes and roosts, with hot, soapy water
– Use insecticidal powders like Diatomaceous Earth (DE) or Pestene in dark, hidden areas where mites hide
– Consider switching to plastic nest boxes, which are easier to clean and less hospitable to mites
– Allow the coop to dry completely before returning your chickens
Repeat this cleaning every week until the mites are gone to ensure no eggs hatch and restart the infestation.
Step 3: Treat Your Chickens Directly
There are several effective treatments you can use on your birds:
Chemical Treatments
– Spinosad: Found in products like Elector PSP, Spinosad is highly effective and safe for food animals. Mix 9ml per gallon of water and spray directly on chickens, focusing on mite-prone areas like under wings, around the vent, and head feathers. It kills both live mites and eggs, so reapplication is rarely needed.
– Ivermectin: A strong antiparasitic that can be applied topically (a few drops on the back of the neck and under wings). It works quickly but may have an egg withdrawal period, so use carefully.
– Permethrin: Useful for coop treatment and sometimes on birds, but be cautious if you have cats around as it’s toxic to them.
Natural and Home Remedies
– Diatomaceous Earth (DE): A natural powder that dehydrates and kills mites. Dust your chickens thoroughly, especially around the vent, under wings, and neck. DE is also great for coop treatment but works best as a preventative or mild treatment.
– Neem Oil Spray: Mix 2 tablespoons of neem oil per gallon of water and spray on chickens and coop areas. Neem oil disrupts the mite life cycle naturally.
– Herbal Oils and Baths: Tea tree, citronella, garlic, peppermint, eucalyptus, and cedarwood oils can be mixed into sprays or soaps to bathe chickens. These oils repel mites and soothe irritated skin.
– Vaseline for Scaly Leg Mites: Apply Vaseline on the legs and feet to suffocate mites and protect the skin.
Step 4: Support Your Chickens’ Health
Adding garlic or garlic juice to your chickens’ diet can make their blood less appealing to mites. Also, providing a dust bath area with fine sand or diatomaceous earth helps chickens naturally clean themselves and keep parasites at bay.
Step 5: Prevent Future Infestations
– Keep the coop clean and dry
– Regularly replace bedding and clean feeders and waterers
– Provide a dust bath area with clean sand or DE
– Avoid introducing infested birds without quarantine
– Use herbal deterrents like crushed eucalyptus or lemongrass leaves in bedding
– Add crushed garlic to drinking water occasionally to repel mites naturally
Tips for Applying Treatments Safely
– Treat chickens at night when mites are most active
– Avoid scrubbing raised scales on legs to prevent pain and bleeding
– Remove food and water before spraying the coop
– Wear a mask when applying powders like DE to avoid inhalation
– Dispose of used bedding carefully to prevent spreading mites
When to Call in the Big Guns
If you have a severe infestation, natural remedies alone may not be enough. Products containing Spinosad or Ivermectin are highly effective and often necessary to quickly control and eliminate mites before they harm your flock seriously.
Chicken mites are a nuisance, but with prompt and thorough treatment of both your chickens and their environment, you can get rid of them and keep your flock comfortable and productive. Regular cleaning, natural deterrents, and effective treatments are your best allies in this battle.
Fight those mites and enjoy a happy, healthy flock!