Color: Nearly white when unfed, bright red when recently fed, or gray to black with blood meal partially digested.
It can be annoying to deal with pests like mites as a chicken owner. You need to know what chicken mites are and how to spot them before you can get rid of them. This guide tells you what chicken mites look like, what damage they do, and how to get rid of an infestation.
What are Chicken Mites?
Chicken mites are tiny external parasites that live on the skin of chickens and feed on their blood The most common types of chicken mites include
- Northern Fowl Mites – Dark gray and remain on the chicken.
- Red Roost Mites – Turn red after feeding and hide in coops.
- Scaly Leg Mites – Burrow under scales on legs.
- Depluming Mites – Cause feather loss.
Mites are often brought in by wild birds, and they can quickly spread through a flock. An infestation can lead to anemia, feather loss, low egg production, and in the worst cases, death. To get rid of mites before they get out of hand, you need to know how to spot them.
What Do Mites Look Like on Chickens?
Identifying mites on chickens takes a watchful eye. Here are the key signs
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Small black or red dots moving quickly over the skin and feathers. They can be seen on the breast, vent area, under wings, and base of feathers.
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Scabs around the vent from mites biting.
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Clusters of small white eggs or “nits” at the base of feather shafts.
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Dirt-looking debris on light colored feathers from mite droppings.
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Loss of feathers as mites burrow and irritate the skin.
The best time to see mites on chickens is at night, when they move around more. To separate the feathers, use a flashlight to look closely at the skin, especially around the vent.
What Do Mites Look Like in the Coop?
Don’t just check your chickens – also inspect the coop for signs.
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Use a flashlight at night to look for moving mites on roosts and in cracks. Red mites hide during the day.
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Wipe roosts with white paper to see red smears or spots from crushed mites.
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Look for clusters of small white eggs in wood cracks and crevices.
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Notice any black or red dot-like specks moving on coop surfaces.
Thoroughly checking both your chickens and coop ensures you don’t miss an infestation.
What Damage Can Mites Cause?
Left untreated, mites can wreak havoc on your flock’s health and productivity. Effects include:
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Anemia from blood loss, which can be fatal.
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Decreased egg production and poor chick growth.
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Constant stress, discomfort, and irritation to chickens.
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Increased risk of bacterial infections.
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Feather loss and damage to skin from biting and burrowing.
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Lameness or leg deformities from scaly leg mites.
Catching and controlling mites quickly is important to avoid long-term flock health issues or losses. Don’t ignore the signs.
How to Get Rid of Chicken Mites
When you confirm mites are present, take action right away. Treatment options include:
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Chemicals: Insecticides and medications like ivermectin, permethrin, or Elector PSP. Follow product instructions carefully.
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Natural remedies: Food-grade diatomaceous earth, essential oils, garlic juice, or herbs. Apply directly on chickens and coops.
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Coop cleaning: Remove all bedding and disinfect surfaces. This helps eliminate mite hiding spots.
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Dust baths: Give your chickens access to dust baths so they can clean their skin and feathers naturally.
For severe infestations, repeating chemical treatment may be necessary to kill newly hatched mites. Maintaining clean coops and chickens is key for future prevention. Consult a vet if mites persist despite treatment.
When to Seek Vet Help
Get professional advice if you notice:
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Severe feather loss, skin damage, or anemia signs.
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No improvement after two chemical treatments.
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Unsure about the mite type or proper treatment method.
A vet can prescribe stronger medications, ensure correct usage, and recommend next steps for stubborn mite cases. Don’t delay seeking help if chickens show extreme distress.
Can Humans Get Chicken Mites?s can get bitten by some types of chicken mites, causing minor itching or irritation. However, the mites cannot reproduce or survive long-term on humans. Wear protective clothing when treating infested coops to avoid bites.
Key Takeaways on Chicken Mites
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Learn to identify them on chickens and in coops to catch infestations early.
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Understand the risks to flock health if mites are left untreated.
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Use chemicals, natural remedies, and thorough coop cleaning to eliminate mites.
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Prevent future infestations through biosecurity, cleanliness, and dust bath access.
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Seek vet assistance for severe cases or if mites persist despite treatment.
Staying vigilant for mites and responding quickly when found keeps your flock happy and healthy. Know what to look for and don’t delay acting against these troublesome pests.
What Are Chicken Mites?
Chicken mites, sometimes called bird mites, get their common name because they live on the skin of a wide variety of birds, but especially chickens. They become structural pests when they migrate from bird nests into buildings and attack humans. For this reason, bird mite control is essential for property owners. Chicken mites primarily infest poultry houses and farms, and also target households with pet birds. Read on to learn more about bird mite control, as well as how to get rid of bird mites.
What Do Chicken Mites Look Like?
Adult female chicken mites are small, at only roughly 1/32” long. They have flat, oval bodies, and are nearly white when unfed, but become bright red when recently fed, turning gray to black when the blood meal is partially digested. Chicken mites are covered with tiny hairs across their back and have long, whip-like mouthparts. Signs of an Infestation.
Although these small mites may be difficult to spot, seeing them near nests or in structural crevices is a clear indication of an infestation. The particular behavior and conditions of chickens and birds on a property can also signal an infestation. A chicken mite infestation can lead to a drop in egg production and the occurrence of blood spots on eggs. Furthermore, people who regularly interact with the birds may develop itching sensations when an infestation is present. Household pets that typically spend time outside can reveal the presence of chicken mites if they exhibit any irritability potentially related to being bitten by these pests. Habits of Chicken Mites.
Bird mites most often live and feed on pigeons, sparrows, starlings and chickens. When they leave an empty nest, they come inside through holes in the ceiling or interior walls in the attic. Mites can also get into a home through pet birds like canaries or gerbils that come from pet stores that already have an infestation. They thrive in humid conditions and breed primarily during the spring and early summer.
Populations of chicken mites are exceptionally destructive and expand quickly, as eggs can hatch within three days and grow into adults after another five. When choosing a host, bird mites do not exhibit any particular selectivity. Once they choose one, chicken mites typically remain on their selected host for their entire lives. However, if a chicken mite host dies, countless mites will journey to find a new host. This migration is quick, as chicken mites do not have the ability to live for more than a few days without a food source. Fed adults, however, can survive for 4-5 months without a feeding.
During this migration, mites may bite humans that they encounter but will not populate human hosts long-term. Threats from Chicken Mites.
Several pathogens have been recorded from chicken mites and experimental transmission of some has been shown. Chicken mites have been implicated in the transmission of St. Louis encephalitis. The mite’s role in the development and transmission of these diseases, however, is not known. Bird mites can cause painful skin irritation on humans, so it is important to take precautions with chicken mites. How to Prevent Chicken Mites.
If you own or handle birds, it’s crucial that you keep the coops and bedding clean and inspect the flock regularly for signs of a chicken mite infestation. Do not handle bird nests on your property, even after the birds have vacated the nest. If you have pets that spend time outdoors, inspect them regularly as they can become chicken mite carriers. Inspect second-hand furniture carefully before bringing indoors, as mites can be transported in bedding, furniture and carpeting. Contact a bird mite control professional if you see signs of a chicken mite infestation in your home. They will be able to find the source, which is usually a bird nest in or near your home, and treat the infestation. How to Get Rid of Chicken Mites.
Looking to get rid of bird mites or chicken mites? Homeowners should contact a licensed pest control professional if a chicken mite infestation is suspected. The professional will conduct an interior and exterior inspection to locate the nest and work with you to develop a chicken mite treatment plan. This typically includes removing the nest using the inverted plastic bag technique, and then treating the surfaces where the nest was located.
In infested rooms of the structure, the professional will treat the cracks and crevices on the walls and ceiling where the mites are entering and may be hiding. In the case of homes, it may be necessary to hot wash and hot dry bedding and clothing left on floor areas. If people become infested, they can consult with their physician for a prescription or get an over-the-counter lotion labeled for the control of ectoparasitic mites.
When you are ready to contact a pest professional, you can find a certified pest professional near you with the helpful zip code search below.
This is what a chicken mite looks like & more details on treatment. #chicken #mites #chickenmites
FAQ
How do I know if my chickens have mites?
To know if your chickens have mites, look for signs like feather damage and loss, increased scratching and agitation, a decrease in egg production, and visible mite droppings.
How do you get rid of mites on chickens?
Can humans get mites from chickens?
What’s the difference between chicken lice and chicken mites?
Like lice, mites are wingless, but in other aspects their body shape is quite different. Besides being much smaller, mites have a generally rounded body shape and lack any obvious body segmentation. A mite is not an insect, so an adult mite has eight legs while an adult louse (an insect) only has six.
What does a chicken mite look like?
Chicken mites are tiny little creatures, with adult females of the species only about 1/32” long. You likely won’t be able to see them. They have flat, oval-shaped bodies that are white when unfed but are bright red when the pests are fully engorged after a blood meal. They also have small hairs along their backs and whip-like mouthparts.
What does a mite look like?
Mites are very small (just visible without magnification) and may look like dark, moving specks. Like lice, mites are wingless, but are smaller than lice, and generally have a rounded body shape and lack any obvious body segmentation. Mites can parasitize many animal species, and have been known to bite humans, horses, and other mammals.
What do northern fowl mites look like?
Unlike the red mite, the Northern fowl mite spends their entire life on the chicken. They are very tiny (around 1/26 inch) so they are barely visible with the naked eye and are a black/red color. If you suspect mites then you should pin up a white cloth in your coop near where your chickens roost.
What is a chicken mite?
Chicken mites are extremely small bugs, or external parasites, that can live both on and off their host. The general shape and color of these small parasites varies depending on the species of parasite. The best way to identify different species of external parasite is by the shape, color, or number of legs the parasite has.
Are chicken mites a problem?
Today’s topic is all about chicken mites. These little creepy crawlies can make your flocks life miserable and will keep you busy with dusting, spraying and changing bedding. Truth be told, most flocks get small infestations of lice or mites during the summer months.