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GET TO KNOW POULTRY RED MITES
- How to identify it
- A very small, oval mite; adults have eight legs.
- Where it is found
- Perches, nest boxes, and cracks and joints in the poultry house.
- Behaviour
- Feeds at night and hides in the surroundings during the day.
- Solution type
- Poultry house hygiene and surface treatment only.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Heavy mite infestations may be associated with discomfort and blood loss in poultry. They can also bite humans; this does not mean they reproduce persistently on humans. Seek a veterinary assessment for symptoms in poultry.
They may not always be visible on the birds. Also check perch and nest box joints where they hide during the day. When needed, seek veterinary help to distinguish poultry red mites from other poultry mites.
Why is checking only the chicken not enough?
Poultry red mites may spend a substantial part of the day in sheltered places around the poultry house. Assess hiding places as well.