Fighting the red bird mite

This occurs especially where there are chicken coops, aviaries, Bird nests and nesting boxes too close to human habitation.
In humans, the bites of the red poultry mite cause itchy, reddened areas and inflammation. In principle, that's not a problem. These parasites are dangerous because they transmit numerous diseases, many of which are viral infections.

prevention

Cleanliness is essential to prevent the mite infestation

to prevent. In addition, chicken coops, aviaries, bird nests, bird houses and the like should not be in the immediate vicinity of the house. Bird nests should be removed in autumn and nesting boxes cleaned.
Diatomaceous earth is used in chicken coops for prevention. This remedy settles in the mites' shells and dries them out. However, the powder has to get into every crack, hardly possible in the house. The powder is a natural product and can be used safely. However, it is not suitable for combating severe infestation.

Detection of the mites

The red poultry mite can be found in cracks and crevices. If you have chickens in a house, you should look for them in the litter of the house or near the nests.

If you want to detect the mites in the house, double-sided adhesive tape helps. This is placed at intrusion sites such as on the window sill, the roller shutter box, on the window frame and similar places.

Combat

There are quite a few pesticides available. CBM 8 with the active ingredient Propoxur, a carbamate, has proven to be effective. This agent is also the only one that is currently approved in Germany for combating ectoparasites in occupied stalls. This means that if bird mites are detected in the chicken coop or in the aviary, you can fight without having to remove the animals.

Liquid and dusty contact poisons are ideal and should be applied directly into the mites' hiding places if possible. Agents which contain the active ingredients Phoxim, Propoxur or Bendiocarb are particularly suitable. Most of the remedies that can be used against ants also help against the red mite. Most treatments are recommended to be repeated after 3 to 6 months.
Anyone who has a strong infestation with red poultry mites and cannot get it under control on their own should request a pest controller. They are very familiar with the pests and the corresponding countermeasures and usually solve the problem very quickly.
It should be pointed out once again that cleanliness is absolutely important, in the private sector and especially in poultry farming.