Spider mite already.

[darrenc]

Beware i have just had to disinfect the chicken already for spider mite. I noticed the tell tale signs of the red squashed mites on the birds roosts and with further investigation found a small colony which was promptly destroyed. Last weeks inspection of the birds found them to be clean!! anybody else found them yet?

[alan refail]

Sorry to nit (or mite) pick. What you have darren is not spider mite but poultry red mite http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseasein ... -fowl-mite Apart from that, your warning is a timely one. I have not seen any on my poultry for the past three years - so fingers crossed.

Alan

[gloworm]

You're lucky Alan, they are a constant threat here, I keep them under control and that's all, always there. Every week I paint the ends of perchs with some real creosote, not the artificial stuff & that stops them multiplying & migrating into other parts of the coop. Diesel is effective as is a blow torch, & i've just sent off for Milbenex which was recommended to me, but not tried it yet. I realise some of this stuff is a bit nasty but if that's what it takes.........

[Diane]

I've already started regular spraying with Poultryshield - just in case. I had a sudden major outbreak 2 years ago - but the Poultryshield - together with Duramitex - sprayed alternate weeks in the henhouse - seems to have kept them at bay.

I hate those redmites - they killed a little frizzle bantam overnight (2 years ago) and since then I've been making sure they don't come back.