Selfsufficientish.com

what do you use to get rid of/ prevent red mite?

I have just been recommended Diatom as it is organic. I will be buying some on Ebay shortly for my recently rescued ex-batts.

I use the diatomaceous earth as well. I use a sandblaster on my compressor to spread in the hen house. I have to apply 3 or 4 times over the course of the summer, but it seems to work pretty well.

I had an serious infestation of Red Mite a couple of years ago, birds stopped laying & one died!. They were living in the tongued & grooved nest box and droppings board. I tried Barrier and a couple of other things which proved hopeless. I burned the nest box & replaced with a seamless aluminium box which I suspended from the ceiling to minimise access for the critters. The droppings board is removable so I started washing the boards monthly with brick cleaning acid then washing with water. OK not organic but extremely effective and I am now red mite freeish.

If you can stand the smell, Jays Fluid works well too.
Probably best when you're between flocks though.

Actually I could get addicted to smelling Jeyes fluid.

Poultry Shield has worked for us but you have to do it at night when the beggars are out feeding.

A blow torch is also very satisfying. I scorch the inside of my houses when I move them. Love the cracking them mites make!

Tried the blowtorch. Found it did not reach the critters hidden deep in the tongued & grooving. It would have worked at night though when they are all roaming around but I use straw bedding!

Hi there
The best solution we have found is to spray the houses with creosote and parrafin 50-50 mix. Spray inside, outside and underneath. Hens can go back in the house that evening. Best to spray every Spring
Thanks
Stewart

I've heard creosote works.. but us mere mortals (ie not proper farmers) can't buy the stuff anymore. might try parafin next time

combo of mite kill and diatom seems to have wiped our infestation out. will carry on using diatom as a prevention

How do you use Diatom?
Put it in feed - spray it on - paint the coop?
Haven`t got any mite at the moment but would like to be prepared.

diatom is a dust like chalk. we lace the straw in the nest box with it.. chuck it about the floor and into nooks and crannies.. and coat the perch with it (you can sort of pack it on)
Also can put it in a dust bath for the hens, or apply direct to hens.. not done either of these though - given that the mites dont live on the birds.. but hide in the house.