You fight red mite in the coop, not just on the chicken: during the day the mites hide in cracks, seams and under the perches, and at night they crawl to the sleeping chickens. Clean the coop thoroughly, treat all hiding places with a product according to the label and repeat after a few days, because new mites hatch from the eggs. This selection includes products from Excellent and Knock Pest.
How do you recognise red mite?
You usually cannot see them during the day. Signs include: chickens that do not want to go to roost in the evening, pale combs, fewer eggs, restlessness in the nest and grey or red specks and clusters in the seams. In the evening, run a white cloth along the underside of the perch; red smears indicate mites that have just fed on blood.
A four-step approach
- Empty: remove bedding, nesting material and loose perches. Dispose of old bedding straight away; do not leave it next to the coop.
- Clean: brush and wash the coop, paying extra attention to seams, hinges and the ends of perches. Let everything dry.
- Treat: apply a product to all cracks and to the perches, exactly according to the label.
- Repeat: eggs often survive a treatment. So treat again within the interval stated on the label, and keep checking afterwards.
The products in this selection
From Excellent there are BL products as a ready-to-use spray, as a spray, as a concentrate to dilute and as a 500 gram powder. From Knock Pest there is a red mite spray and a 250 gram insect powder against red mite. A spray reaches deep cracks well; a powder stays in seams and nest boxes for longer. Always read the label: it tells you whether you may use the product in the coop or on the birds, how often to repeat and which withdrawal periods apply.
Bear in mind that no product will clear a heavily infested coop in one go. Cleaning and repeating make the difference. If a chicken is anaemic or stays lethargic, consult your vet.
See also: red mite and mites, cleaning and disinfecting, bedding and coop hygiene and your chickens' health.
Frequently asked questions
When is red mite most active?
Red mite multiplies quickly, especially in the warmer months. So check weekly in spring and summer.
Do I need to treat the chickens themselves too?
Most mites live in the coop, not on the chicken. Whether a product may also be used on the birds is stated on the label; follow it and consult your vet if in doubt.
How often do I need to repeat the treatment?
At least once, because eggs hatch after a few days. The exact interval differs per product and is stated on the label.