maryannlucy Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Hi DH said on Saturday when he cleaned the girls out, that he had seen a red mite. We talked about it perhaps being a red spider, but as he had killed it we couldn't go and investigate. Today when I was at the bin where he had put the old straw there were LOTS of red spiders (which I think is what DH was talking about). I presume they must have been in the straw, and in the heat of the bin have been multiplying rapidly. They are about a mm or 2mm, and very visible . The WIR, the Eglu and everywhere is covered in red mite powder (more so now than normal), but I am now paranoid!! The girls seem fine, eggs as normal, no scratching, no missing feathers. Any advice will be very welcome, as I am concerned about my girls Thank you x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debby Tutton Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 I suggest you catch one and compare it with the picture shown here http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/health/red-mite.html Good luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryannlucy Posted June 9, 2010 Author Share Posted June 9, 2010 oh it looks promising as what we have aren't like that! Ours are round and very very red. We will keep dusting and checking, but maybe they are red spiders (not sure if these are dangerous for chooks). Honestly, these girls are such a worry but in a good way. many thanks for your reply x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 I have been wondering if what I have seen are red mite. after 3 yars you might think I would know, but touch wood and all that. I see these tiny dots on the WIR, I looked at the link and have no idea with out a microscope if they look like thisw or wath 0.7mm looks like? I couldn't catch one as they squidge.... am I just paranoid or being plain dumb? there is diatom all over the place but it is pretty hard with so much wood on the WIR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Can I suggest that you dust the housing anyway with some of this Marvellous stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Can I suggest that you dust the housing anyway with some of this Marvellous stuff! Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess1merlin Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Does that kill red mite as well Clare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 11, 2010 Share Posted June 11, 2010 Does that kill red mite as well Clare? Yup it zaps all crawlies. I have just run out myself and ordered another tub, I came across it last year when I was helping a friend to eradicate an infestation of Northern Fowl Mites, got the smaller shaker at first to try it on her birds*.... it got rid of the NFM, plus the red mites that she had lingering in her wooden sheds. *It contains permethrin, so I couldn't possibly recommend that you use it directly on your birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
