jc123 Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Hi, We are new to this, having had our chickens for just 3 weeks. We only have 3, and they are in a small wooden coop with run (bought new), stood on deep wood chip, but spend most of their day out in the garden. I have been using a mixture of shredded paper and straw in the nest boxes and take out any damp/soiled bits daily. 2 days ago I was sweeping up some shredded paper that had collected in the corner of the coop and saw the dreaded tiny mites scurrying around. The next day I went to our v helpful farm supply place who advised Harkers Duramitex Plus. This morning I set to work emptying and scrubbing the coop and couldn't believe how many there now were - it was covered, and quite a few had obviously had a good meal. I sprayed a the whole can around all the edges and gaps but am not convinced its going to sort this lot out. The girls seem ok, but I am worried that I wouldn't know yet if they were much different. I've read loads about the differnet products available (although not heard of Duramitex) and am a bit confused about where to go from here!! Any advice would be really welcome. Thanks for reading. PS: at night the 3 of them sleep have always slept all on top of each other in one of the nest boxes - is this ok?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 You've been really unlucky! It took us nearly three years to get our first infestation of red mites - I believe it's quite a bad year this year though and apparently everyone should expect to get them at some point. Lots of advice here on a previous thread http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=50557 Since we've found them in our house and run we've blasted them with a hose, let everything dry thoroughly then sprayed with diluted Poultry Shield liquid, let it all dry again then dusted everything thoroughly with Diatomaceous Earth powder. The chooks themselves have been liberally dusted with Red Mite Powder - I think all of this kit is available from Omlet or a good local pet store. Early days yet but in 4 days we've seen a massive reduction in mites already and we're spraying the house and perches again daily with Poultry Shield to deal with new mites as they hatch which is every few days I think. If you can open the house and get internal fittings into the sunlight as this helps to get rid of them too. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc123 Posted August 8, 2011 Author Share Posted August 8, 2011 Thanks! Have just placed an internet order for poultry shield/sprayer and diatom. I am sat here itching!! Have had the whole thing opened out today which will have helped. Just can't bear to think of the chickens being nibbled all night! Hard that it's happened so early on as makes me feel we've done something wrong, but sure we have just been unlucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 You will need to keep up the offensive to keep them at bay. I use (and swear by) Total Mite Kill Concentrate and Buz Busters powder; both contain permethrin which will kill the bugs on contact. May I also suggest that you swap the straw and paper bedding for something like woodchip or Aubiose which are less likely to harbour mites. They may be bunking up in the nest box because they prefer safety in numbers when they are being bitten. It won't help though as it will make then hotter and more appealing to the mites. I'd suggest blocking off the nestbox at night if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc123 Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 Thanks. I will try blocking off box tomorrow night - although to be honest they have slept like that since day 1. There were a few mites still scuttling around nest box today but only a tiny fraction compared to the other day, and none were visible in main house, where previously they were everywhere. I've kept the floor there completely clear to reduce hiding places. I am definitely on their case now and will be scrubbing, spraying and powdering tomorrow, with a change to nest box material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 If you have a wooden coop, it may be an idea to re-house them (if you can) for 24 hours, strip it down fill all the corners and cracks with filler, paint the inside with varnish or gloss paint and let it air thoroughly before you let them back in. That will help with resisting the mites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 After a bad case the other week in the green eglu, I can proudly say I am on top of them! Phew! A good strip down & wash, the steamer, total mite kill pink spray & diatom has really worked. I have powdered the birds like a mad woman too. Total mite kill is fab. Diatom I swear buy, much better than the barrier red mite powder, which smells nicer but contains more silica & is not as efficient. You think at the time of finding them oh no I'll never beat these - but you will! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yes, the red mite powder smells lovely but is more of a preventative. I dosed all my lot with their quarterly preventative treatment (which incidentally helps stop red mites in the housing) and sprayed them and they all seem fine and clear as does the cube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yep, mine are due another few drops on the neck - Harkers (harka-mectin). Seen some red mite on the cube but it gets copious amounts of poultry shield and diatom - I can't see them gathering anywhere though - luckily, so I'm just guessing they drop down from the trees above or wander up from the shrubbery and hope for a bit of luck. And douse the birdies - much to their disgust - and I have to say I also get a good dose at the same time. As I appear to be free of mites - I hope my girls are!!! But ooooh that lovely red mite powder smell - worth getting just to have a sniff! Er and one time I fell over backwards into the dust bath - so I was pretty well covered that year front and back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Er and one time I fell over backwards into the dust bath - so I was pretty well covered that year front and back! Bet that was a sight for sore eyes Val Unfortunately we need to stay vigilant, pick up your birds and check them, check the housing every week when you clean it. Use a preventative on your birds every quarter, spray them monthly. Clean the housing with a good lice killer such as total mite kill concentrate and powder it with a lice/mite killer such as Buz Busters. I also top up the dust bath with Diatom... they don't stand a chance in my garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Oooh haven't heard of Buzz Busters before. Yep it was a sight! I was howling with laughter and embarrassment, couldn't get up and floundered for ages! Fortunately "Ooops, word censored!"ody in sight or looking out the windows! Had to get in a proper bath after that - it reached parts that Johnson's Baby Powder hadn't reached before!!!!! And I didn't think that was possible as I was wearing knickers and not going commando at the time!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 good job you had yer panties on Val! Yep, this is the stuff, also comes in a big tub... contains permethrin so stops the bugs in their tracks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Ahh, I like the Nettex stuff. Not seen that one though. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I have the small shaker which I refill from the big tub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateC Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 This may sound like a really stupid question but how would I know if I had red mite in the cube? I have only had my girls for about a month now and have already sprayed them with the Johnsons spray and use DE in the nesting box and dust bath. I am paranoid about the lice and parasites and feel itchy when I think of them. ( I did find two lice in my hair after I had cuddled my chickens, hence the paranoia ) My cube and run are under some trees which has only added to my fear. I want to be able to cuddle the girls but I am put off by thinking I will be cuddling more than I bargained for!!!! I love this forum, so many friendly and helpful people. Having only had dogs, cats and gerbils before, keeping chooks is completely new to me. I know where I am with dogs and cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 They look like slightly bigger full stops. Rounded and usually black or red or grey. If you get infested they can gather in nooks and crannies - anywhere it's dark. They don't like sunshine either. Diatom even less! See one and I puff it saying DIEEEEEE you scurvy dogs!!! I'm rubbish at linky bits, but DM is a dab hand so you can see piccies of them - yuk!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 OK (thanks Val ) piccies of red mites... Grey before they have fed: Nasty little beggars! Because they feed on the birds' blood, they can be vectors of various avian diseases, as well as weakening the birds through anaemia. It's important to have a thorough cleaning and dusting routine as well as using preventatives and sprays on your birds. That way it's easier to prevent/contain an outbreak - rather like checking and treating your cats and dogs for fleas and ticks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Scratch scratch scratch. Thanks for the pics - knew you could do it!! Wish I hadn't looked again!!! Scratches behind ear . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Yes, had me itching too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
