Control - Red bird mites

Mite Control

The red poultry mite is the most common and economically significant ectoparasite in poultry farming. Infested animals are stressed and more susceptible to diseases. Severe infestations lead to anemia. The mortality rate of hens increases. A high percentage of laying hen houses are affected. High mite pressure leads to lower laying performance and quality losses in eggs. Poultry mites multiply very quickly at temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius and explosively in summer. Within a week, the population increases by at least 40 times. This is the development of the red poultry mite.

For targeted mite control, it is important to have precise knowledge of these arachnids. For its complete development, the animal goes through several stages. After hatching from the egg, the poultry mite develops from a 6-legged larva to an 8-legged poultry mite after several molts.
It needs at least 4 meals of poultry blood. The entire development is temperature-dependent and takes between 4 and 12 days. Below 9 degrees, no development takes place. The mites, which are 0.7 mm (males) and 1.1 mm (females) in size, usually visit the chickens at night to suck blood. During the day, they hide in cracks, crevices, and under perches. The red poultry mite can survive up to 9 months without food.

Treatment options
Chemical

The mites are killed with an active ingredient (poison). However, this treatment method should be avoided, as the active ingredient can also be absorbed by the chickens. In addition, mites can develop resistance to active ingredients.

Application of silicates

When in contact with the mites, silicate dusts damage their outer shell and dry them out. Stable equipment and crevices are coated with silicate dust. The application takes place before the animals are housed. The dusts remain effective for a certain period. After a few months, the effect can decrease significantly. The fine dust is inhaled by the animal owner, enters the lungs, and can damage them. It is recommended to wear a dust mask (at least FFP2) in the stable for at least 4 weeks after application.

Use of predatory mites

which are released into the stable, eat poultry mites. Constant observation is necessary. If necessary, more predatory mites must be used. When using predatory mites, no other preparations may be used. The application is expensive. Herbal extracts are administered to the chickens via drinking water. These are supposed to make the chickens' blood unpalatable for the mites. However, this method is not very effective.

The effective biological and biocide-free treatment is carried out with the preparations
ADELE Mite-free & GUSTAV Mite Stop, in the safe 2-step system:

ADELE Mite-free

A watery solution, purely biological from vegetable oil, works by clogging the mites' breathing pores. The preparation is sprayed onto the affected areas using an atomizer. The mites suffocate immediately, and the nits are damaged. Without artificial additives.

GUSTAV Mite Stop

A gel-like, hygroscopic liquid, purely biologically produced from vegetable oil, does not dry out. It is used to coat the resting places of the perches, as well as cracks and crevices. GUSTAV Mite Stop is an insurmountable obstacle for the mites. The remaining mites can no longer reach the chickens at night and die on contact with Gustav Mite Stop.

Both products are non-toxic and odorless. They can therefore be safely used in occupied stables. Resistance development is excluded. Both preparations are water-soluble and easily washable.