An overview of different Red Mite Treatment options

A pre-housing treatment is used after cleaning and disinfection of the sheds at turnaround, to reduce mite numbers before the pullets arrive. There are two options available - fogging and powder treatments.  

“Fogging is traditionally used for broilers, however free-range layer producers are increasingly using it as a pre-treatment,” says Fiona.

“Most cleaning contractors now have a misting machine and can offer fogging as a low-cost addition to their cleaning services at turnaround, making it a convenient option.

Fiona explains that the chemical is heated to form a mist, which spreads throughout the shed and kills various diseases as well as red mite.

“The main downside of fogging is that it only kills the mite it comes into contact with at the time of treatment. It doesn’t have any longevity, so the red mite which emerge from their hiding spaces afterwards are free to feed and breed.

“The efficacy is limited in colder sheds, which is why it is more commonly used in broiler sheds which are heated to the right temperature for its use. Also, nobody can go into the shed for 24 hours after treatment, which can be inconvenient when producers are in the midst of preparing for a new flock,” she adds.    

The other pre-housing option is use of a powder treatment. Like fogging, powder treatments can be professionally applied by contractors, meaning there are minimal labour requirements from the farm’s perspective.

“As a residual treatment, powders can keep an increase in red mite numbers at bay for 40 weeks during the laying cycle. They stick to surfaces and red mites come into contact with them as they emerge. The powder damages the mites’ waxy layer as they crawl through it, causing them to dry out and die before they can feed on the birds.

“At 15 to 20 pence per bird per flock, use of a powder is a cost-effective option for pre-treatment,” says Fiona.

However, it does have some downsides. “Sheds are generally very dusty after powder treatment. It is necessary to wear a face mask to enter after application and it can be responsible for some respiratory problems in the birds. It can also dim the lights as it settles on them, although this effect has usually worn off by the time the birds are laying.” 

There are a range of herbal water treatments available. Fiona explains that they work by making the hens’ blood unpalatable to the red mite, which stops them from feeding and helps keep mite numbers low.  

“They are generally effective if used at the correct dosage and only cost 10 to 15 pence per bird over the course of a flock, making them a popular mite control option.

“However, the base dosage has its limitations which makes it important to monitor mite numbers and increase the dosage to combat any increase in mite population, especially as the weather warms up and conditions are more favourable to mite breeding.”       

Fiona adds that there are reports of mites becoming resistant to the effects of herbal water treatments.

“Some customers have used the same water treatment for several years and found that it was very effective early on, but they’ve seen mite numbers increase more easily with time.

“There’s also a need to pay close attention to water line management. Lines should be cleaned by thoroughly flushing them out after a water-based treatment has been used.” 

The other option for red mite control while birds are laying, is to use insecticide sprays.

“Sprays should be Lion code and Freedom Food approved, and are best used at night when it is possible to see the red mite emerging from their hiding places to feed,” says Fiona.

“This makes them labour intensive, as for best results it’s recommended to go around the whole shed in one night and then repeat the treatment three nights later to catch any mite which have hatched since, to interrupt the breeding cycle.

“The upside is that spraying can achieve immediate results in bringing down mite numbers.”

On average, spraying to control red mite costs 10 to 15 pence per bird per flock, however Fiona advises careful consideration of which product to use, as some can be expensive and not necessarily as effective.

In cases where red mite numbers get out of hand, Ms Hunt recommends speaking to a vet to get a prescribed medicated treatment.

“When there’s an infestation which is really impacting the birds, you want to bring down mite numbers rapidly to reduce the impact on egg production,” she says.

“The prescribed treatment can do this when administered correctly at the right dose. Care is essential, because at 20 to 25 pence per dose, it is not something you want to repeat because it didn’t work the first time.

“Biosecurity measures to prevent reintroduction of mite to the shed is also important, otherwise you can kill all the mite one day, but reinfect the next and mite breed rapidly, especially in summer months when conditions are warmer,” she adds. 

For Fiona, the ideal approach to red mite control starts at turnaround, with an effective washdown and disinfection protocol.

“Once the shed is clean, use a pre-treatment to prepare for the arrival of pullets. Mite numbers should be low at this point, but there will be some hiding within the shed and the pullets are more than likely to have some on them when they arrive too,” she says.

“This makes a plan for treating to keep numbers low important. Weigh up the options to select a product, but also monitor to understand the red mite situation within the shed throughout the lay cycle.

“Observe the birds at night. If they are unsettled this indicates that red mite are feeding from them, which causes distress and impacts egg production. It is also possible to see red mite emerging from their hiding places.”

Ms Hunt adds that traps can also be set to monitor red mite numbers. “These should be checked regularly and if an increased number of mites are found in them, this is an indication of further control being needed,” she says.

“Red mite are a pest which we can expect to be present in every flock. Knowing the options for control and implementing a strategy which keeps numbers low is the best way to minimise impact on egg production,” she concludes.

For specialist advice, speak to our Poultry specialist team.