How long do blood mites survive without chickens?
Once a red mite has emerged from its egg, it lives for about 6 to 8 weeks under normal conditions. Here you can read more about the life cycle and behavior of red mites. Without food (chickens or other poultry), a red mite can survive for a maximum of 2 weeks. An adult red mite can lay up to 8 eggs per day under ideal conditions. And it is precisely these eggs that are the 'strongest link' when it comes to survival.
Red mites
15 April '22 • 1 min reading time
Red mite eggs
Red mite eggs can survive for at least two years (!!) without chickens or birds nearby. This is why it is often said that it is usually not possible to completely get rid of an infestation. The eggs are hidden in crevices and seams that are difficult to reach. Additionally, eggs can only be removed with a high-pressure sprayer or burner. At this moment, there is no pest control product on the market that prevents the eggs from hatching. Therefore, it is very important to thoroughly check the chicken coop for hatched red mite eggs during the red mite season (March to the end of October). You can read how to do this in the paragraph below.
Control, control, control…
A simple and ideal method for monitoring red mites is the red mite test. This test consists of a tube with a wooden stick inside. You hang the test with tie wraps under the perch of chickens, and it lasts for years. Once the red mites have hatched, they will build their nest in the nearest place where the chicken spends the night. By hanging the red mite test under the perch, you create this spot for red mites. You can easily pull out the stick in the test every day or every week to check for red mites. This way, you can start treatment sooner and prevent an explosive outbreak during a warm period.
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