Red Mite

[Amy]

Hi everyone,

I currently dont have red mite (fingers doubly crossed!) and I was wondering what is the best preventative action to take against these pesky buggers?

I used Red Mite Powder and dusted them in Spring. I also dust round (using the same product) the edges of the hen house and in the nesting boxes on a two weekly basis. Is there anything further I can do?

Does Flubevent get rid of them as I am due to worm my ex-batts etc?

I have also heard about a product called Smite Diatomaceous Earth Powder that goes in food and can be added to water and sprayed onto the wood in the hen house. Has anyone used this product before?

Is there anything else I should be doing in terms of cleaning it out with certain products...adding suppliments into the food etc...

Many thanks...now its warm I want to make sure I am on top of this!!!

 

[snifter]

There are a number of threads on the forum re red mite. Also Tim has an article in the FAQ section on it. Have a quick search for 'red mite' in the search box of the forum and also check out the FAQ's for more info. Should be some stuff of use to you there

 

[dawn]

Hi Amy, I had red mite for the first time in the winter. Since then I've used Diatom powder regularly but not in water. I sprinkle the powder in the coop liberally and rub in onto the perch as Tim's article suggests until it looks like a gym bar, I do the same on the floor of the coop and the nest boxes. They don't seem to have come back so it must be working.

I also pressure wash the house with poultry shield, but not that often. When I do though I take out the floor and perches and the roof of the nest box so it's just the shell and really direct the spray into the corners, crevices etc. I just have a cheap chinese house, the ones with the integral run and although it's horrible and flimsy and leaks it does come apart brilliantly to clean.

 

[Amy]

Hi

Thanks for the advice. I couldnt find Tims article...where abouts is it exactly as I looked under FAQ?

 

[snifter]

Here you go

http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=394

 

[Amy]

Oh thanks for that! Very informative!!!