How to Control Chicken Mites Naturally and Prevent Their Recurrence

The chicken mite is one of the most surprising parasites you have ever encountered. Their tiny size makes them difficult to notice until your henhouse is infested with itchy, miserable birds and destructive mites. A chicken mite looks like a tiny tick. A mite is an arachnid with eight legs and a fat body. Mites feast on hens their entire lives. As a result, your itchy, painful birds scratch and peck themselves. Here are the natural ways to eliminate chicken mites and prevent them from returning.

How to Control Chicken Mites

Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is one of the safe and natural ways to treat chicken mites. A diatom is a microscopic aquatic organism whose fossilized remains have been preserved. By dehydrating the mites, the powder eventually kills them. All surfaces in the coop should be treated with diatomaceous earth, including the nesting boxes, perches, and cracks in the walls. In order to avoid inhaling the powder, wear gloves and a face mask when applying it.

Dust the chickens: Once you have applied diatomaceous earth to the coop, it’s time to apply it to your chickens. Dust each chicken with the powder, focusing on its vent area and under its wings. The powder will help kill any mites on the chickens and prevent new ones from taking hold.
Repeat the process: To ensure that the mites are completely eradicated, you will need to repeat this process every two weeks. This will help to break the mite’s life cycle and prevent them from returning.

Neem Oil

Neem oil should be mixed with water according to the instructions on the bottle. This oil is gentle and highly effective and is designed to disrupt the life cycle of mites, lice, ticks, and fleas. As well as nourishing the skin, neem oil can also be applied directly to chickens. In addition to spraying neem and water directly onto your hens, you can also dip your birds in neem baths. Add a few teaspoons of neem to 4 liters of warm water and dip your birds.

Repeat the process: It’s important to repeat the neem oil treatment every 7-10 days for at least three weeks to ensure all mites are eliminated. Continue to clean and disinfect the coop regularly to prevent re-infestation.

Garlic

Crush and chop fresh garlic cloves into small pieces. The amount needed will depend on the size of your flock, but a general rule of thumb is to use one garlic bulb per gallon of water. Add the chopped garlic to a bucket of warm water and let it steep for several hours. The longer it steeps, the more potent the solution will be. Apply the garlic solution to your chicken coop. Cover all surfaces thoroughly, including the walls, roosts, and nesting boxes. Pay particular attention to any cracks or crevices where mites may be hiding.

Repeat The Treatment As Needed: Depending on the severity of your infestation, you may need to repeat the garlic treatment several times over a few weeks. Monitor your birds for improvement and reapply the solution as needed.
Use Garlic As A Preventative Measure: Garlic can also be used as a preventative measure to stop chicken mites from returning. Simply add crushed garlic to your chicken’s feed or water regularly. This will help to keep mites at bay and keep your birds healthy and happy.

Apple Cider Vinegar

One of the most effective ways to treat chicken mites is apple cider vinegar. Spray a spray bottle with a mixture of one part apple cider vinegar and one part water. You should thoroughly clean your chicken coop and any surrounding areas to remove any mites or eggs that may be present. Once the area is clean, spray the apple cider vinegar solution directly onto your chickens, covering all their feathers and skin.

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You may also want to spray the solution onto the walls and floors of your coop to prevent mites from returning. In addition to using apple cider vinegar, you can take several other steps to prevent mites from returning. These include keeping your coop clean and dry, providing plenty of ventilation, and regularly dusting your chickens with diatomaceous earth or another natural insecticide.

Herbs

Eucalyptus: This herb is also a natural insecticide. Mix a few drops of eucalyptus oil with water and spray it around the coop and nesting boxes.
Lavender: Lavender has insect-repelling properties that can help keep mites away. Add a few lavender essential oil drops to your chicken coop, or sprinkle dried lavender around the coop.
Peppermint: Peppermint has natural insecticidal properties that can help eliminate mites. Add a few peppermint essential oil drops to your chicken coop, or sprinkle dried peppermint around the coop.

Dust Bath

Giving your chickens a dust bath is one of the most effective ways to prevent chicken mites. Chickens naturally roll around in the dirt to clean themselves, which helps remove parasites from their feathers and skin. You can create a dust bath by filling a shallow container with sand, dirt, and diatomaceous earth, a natural insecticide.

In addition to the dust bath, you can treat your chickens with an insecticide. Many products are available on the market, including powders, sprays, and dusts. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product carefully, and avoid getting any product near the chicken’s eyes or respiratory system.

Repeat: To prevent chicken mites from returning, you should regularly repeat the dust bath and insecticide treatment. This will help to keep your chickens healthy and free from parasites.

Treat Chicken Mites With Cooking Oil

Any cooking oil will work for this treatment, but vegetable or olive oil are good options.
Start by thoroughly cleaning the chicken coop and nesting boxes. Remove all bedding and debris, and scrub the surfaces with a disinfectant cleaner. This will help to eliminate any mites or eggs that may be present.
Once the coop is clean and dry, apply a small amount of cooking oil to all surfaces. This includes the walls, roosting bars, nesting boxes, and other areas where mites may be hiding. Use a paintbrush or spray bottle to apply the oil evenly.
Pay special attention to the areas around the roosting bars, as this is where mites tend to congregate. Cover the entire surface, including any cracks or crevices where mites may hide.
Preventive measure: Repeat this process every 3-4 days for 2-3 weeks or until the mite infestation is completely gone. This will help to suffocate the mites and prevent them from reproducing.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, chicken mites can be a frustrating problem for poultry owners, but there are several natural ways to treat and prevent them. By combining these methods and practicing good hygiene, you can keep your chickens healthy and happy.

How to Control Chicken Mites Naturally and Prevent Their Recurrence