JPalmer Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I was poo picking my Eglu two days ago and noticed a few (10-15) tiny tiny little red bugs reminded me of baby spiders. I sprayed tons of Poultry Shield and cleaned and sprinkled Diatom as well. Checked again and still see about the same amount running around in the middle of the day. A few ran down the nesting area to the hole. Has anyone ever taken the Eglu apart and sprayed / diatom then put back together? How easy is it?? Is there any way to plug that hole in the nest??? Still not convienced it is Red Mite but really not sure. I squashed a couple and no blood not that it means anything maybe they dont squirt blood when they are smushed like mosquitoes do. I did try to take a picture but they are so dern tiny you couldn't see them at all. Think they might be baby spiders. I remember when I first came here (originally from Florida) and our front door was covered in these little red things hubby said they were baby spiders. I have never seen red mite except for pictures on forums and they look a bit ovaly these are more flat with little legs. Any clue as to tell the difference?? Sorry for the long questions and thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I think (but am not certain) that if you squish red mite as you have done then you will see red. You may also see lots of grey things that are similar as these are the red mite before they have feasted on your girls. It sounds to me as though it is something else but diatom (or even ant powder) should fix it. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thalia Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 There is something called Red Spider Mite that look like tiny bright red spiders and are not the same as the dreaded Red Mite. You may have seen these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 They sound like red spider 'mites' which are a definite spider type shape - these are harmless to chooks Red mites are tiny shiny and grey or plump and red depending on whether they have fed recently but are a definite mite shape. one sign of red mite are the 'cigarette ash' droppings left in the coop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPalmer Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 Thanks all!! I will keep continuing on my weekly clean and spray with Poultry Shield and sprinkle with Diatom. Since I am fairly new to chickens I tend to panic a bit cause I know I am clueless and blonde to boot! Think I will plan on calling Lewis at Aviarys4u to get a new WIR run so that I can get my Eglu up off the ground. Wish Omlet would do an Eglu up off the ground. I know it is called the Cube but it is so blasted big not to mention a bit out of budget for me. Thanks again for everyone's input I do feel a bit better now and not so concerned. Thanks again, you guys are fab!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 When you spray a patch of red mite with poultry shield the water turns green as the mites desolve but strangely satisfying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPalmer Posted October 9, 2010 Author Share Posted October 9, 2010 Hummm I did spray them but didn't see any green come from them or anything in fact it seemed they continued to walk around like yeah and what lady did you expect me to keel over dead ... haha you loose! So glad now cause the scale has tipped that they are baby spiders! THANK God! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
