Red mite, also called poultry red mite, is the most troublesome pest in most backyard coops. The mites shun light: during the day they hide in cracks and seams in the coop, and at night they crawl to the chickens to feed on blood. Here you will find products to tackle the coop, such as Excellent BL Spray (also ready to use), Excellent BL Concentrate, Excellent BL Powder, Excellent Poultry Parex and the Gaun sulphur hand duster.
Recognise before you treat
Because red mite hides during the day, you rarely see the mites on the chicken in daylight. Clues include restless chickens on the perch, hens that will not go into the coop in the evening, a pale comb and a drop in laying. Check in the evening with a torch, or run a white tissue along the perch on the side where the chickens sleep: red-brown streaks point to mites that have just fed. Common hiding places are the ends and mounting points of perches, the corners of nest boxes and seams under feeders.
Which form suits which job?
- Ready-to-use spray: use straight away on seams, corners and perches in a small coop.
- Concentrate: dilute it yourself; handier if you treat a larger coop or several coops.
- Powder: for places where you do not want to spray, such as nesting material; a hand duster helps to spread it finely.
Follow the label for each product: how to apply it, whether chickens may be present and after how long to repeat the treatment. Mite eggs often survive a first round, so treating once is rarely enough.
Points to note
No single product solves a red mite problem in one go. First empty and clean the coop, remove old bedding and brush out the seams, and only then treat. A coop with few cracks, for example with plastic nest boxes and perches, is easier to keep on top of. If a chicken goes downhill despite your efforts, consult a vet.
A detailed step-by-step plan is on red mite control in the chicken coop. If you want to support chickens after an infestation, see vitamins and resilience. All care products are under chicken health; for a new or better-sealing coop, see chicken coop and run.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my chickens have red mite?
Check the perches and nests in the evening with a torch, or run a white tissue along the perch. Red-brown streaks give the mites away.
Why does red mite keep coming back?
Eggs and hidden mites often survive a first treatment. Repeat according to the label and also clean the coop thoroughly.
Can I treat while the chickens are in the coop?
That differs per product. Read the label; it states whether and when the chickens may go back in.