Facts and myths about blood mites in chickens and birds
Despite the abundance of information available on the internet, it is not always clear what exactly is a fact or a myth about lice in birds and chickens. We have compiled a list of some facts and myths about lice in chickens and birds for you.
Red mites
12 April '22 • 2 min reading time
1. Blood mites only occur in the warm months
Myth Blood mites in birds and chickens can also occur in winter. In the warmer months, the mites can reproduce more effectively, so the mite problem is logically larger. However, nits (eggs) can also survive in the winter months. They hatch as soon as the climate is warmer. It may happen that you think there are no blood mites left, but there may still be nits in the cracks and crevices. How do you prevent this? By treating preventively against blood mites. Spraying the coop once every 8 weeks is sufficient in winter. In summer, we recommend spraying the animals' environment every 4 weeks. Additionally, it is important to treat the chickens internally with a supplement based on herbs and essential oils so that the blood becomes indigestible and blood mites can no longer reproduce.
2. Once you have a lice problem, you can never get rid of it
Myth It is possible to get rid of lice if you persevere. A lice problem is persistent and requires a lot of attention to eliminate. However, you will see that over time the lice will decrease. You indeed cannot get rid of them 100% since the eggs can still hatch up to 2 years later when conditions are ideal. The blood louse population can remain manageable, resulting in no more issues.
3. Insecticides do not solve the problem
Fact: Insecticides (chemical pesticides) do not work. Firstly, these substances do not adhere to the coop. Lice are active at night, so if you spray the coop during the day, you won't hit the lice. Additionally, lice can become resistant to insecticides, making them even less effective. There is no product that also targets the eggs.
4. Bird and chicken blood mites can be transmitted to humans
Fact However, blood mites cannot reproduce from human blood. Therefore, they quickly disappear again. However, they cause a lot of nuisance and can lead to skin irritations in people who are allergic to chicken mites.
5. You can see mites in the coop during the day.
Myth When you are not treating, you cannot see the blood mites during the day. They are hiding then. However, when you are treating for mites, you can actually see them during the day. Mites can no longer hide and will start to walk as a reaction. We like to see this reaction because the hen will also see them during the day and will eat the blood mite.
6. If you no longer see lice, you do not need to treat anymore
Myth Prevention is better than cure. Additionally, there may still be nits and larvae in the seams and cracks. When these nits hatch, it is best to have already sprayed the coop beforehand so they have no chance of becoming an adult louse that also lays eggs. Always attach a blood louse test under the perch so you can quickly see if there are blood lice.
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