Getting the upper hand with a severe Red Mite infestation requires persistence and attention to detail, and it may involve using more than one approach.

Any control programme needs to pay attention to the following:

1. Operator hygiene and suitable protective clothing to prevent the spread of mite between sites.

2. Sealing up of as many joints and crevices as possible, to reduce the number of areas which harbour mite

3. Efficient disposal of mite-infested litter and debris, to prevent re-infestation

4. Study the Red Mite life cycle – repeat treatment needs to be undertaken within seven days to maximise the effect and ‘catch’ the largest possible number of mite.

5. Constant vigilance and prompt treatment of any hotspots.

6. Use of a poultry tonic or vitamin supplement to help the birds recover and increase their resistance to re-infection.

RECOMMENDED PROTOCOL FOR COMBINED USE OF SMITE PROFESSIONAL AND SMITE ORGANIC TO CONTROL RED MITE IN POULTRY HOUSING:

Note re. Smite Professional: If using dosing pump supplied, use 2 x 30ml shots per litre of water (6% solution), or dilute 1 part SMITE with 15-25 parts water (6.66% - 4% solution). Apply as suggested to the housing and equipment, using knapsack or hand sprayer. Use suitable protective clothing.

REMEMBER SMITE PROFESSIONAL IS A VERY EFFECTIVE DISINFECTANT AND CLEANER – SO ONE PRODUCT DOES IT ALL

SMITE THE MITE! – CLEAN AND DISINFECT!

1: Before depopulation of the unit, initially spray liberally with 6% solution of Smite Professional to equipment and nesting areas. This reduces the number of mite initially and gives a more comfortable environment for the workforce. Smite Professional is not licensed to be sprayed on the birds, but it is safe to spray the housing with the birds in situ and any overspray will not cause a problem.

2: Remove all equipment from the unit, including any plastic slats, as these can harbour mite in the joints.

3: The housing unit and equipment should then be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to a clinical standard, using a 6% solution of Smite Professional. Take care to remove all litter and manure from every area, thus removing as many mites as possible. Pay particular attention to cracks and crevices, perches and joints.

4. Leave all treated areas to air dry and then dust liberally with Smite Organic Powder to kill any mites and mite eggs which have not been removed by the cleaning process. Pay particular attention to cracks, crevices, perches and nesting areas. Sprinkle liberally over the surface of the litter.

5. When the new crop of birds has been introduced, or the original birds re-introduced, and the unit temperature has stabilised, spray the building and equipment with a 6% solution of Smite Professional.

6. 6/7 days later, spray the whole housing unit again with a 6% solution of Smite Professional and re-apply Smite Organic Powder to nesting areas, crevices and perches. This will treat any mite eggs which have hatched since the initial treatment. In severe infestations, the treatment should be repeated very 7-10 days until the infestation is under control.

COMPLEMENTARY GOOD PRACTICE TO ASSIST IN THE CONTROL OF RED MITE:

In addition to the essential ‘full cleandown’ procedure detailed above (which cannot be avoided!), consider the following, pesticide-free, additional good practices to discourage reinfestation:

• There is no substitute for good husbandry! Keep your birds clean, and well supplied with fresh drinking water and food.

• Be observant – look for pale faces and wattles, ‘depressed’ birds, lacking vitality, reduced egg production and weight loss – or even weight gain.

• Use an essential oil-based ‘Red Mite Repellent’ powder on the birds and in the nest boxes.

• Use Smite Organic Powder (a natural mineral product), a very fine powder which can be sprinkled on the litter and in the nest boxes. The grains have razor-sharp edges which shred the mite exoskeleton when they come into contact with it. The mineral is safe for hens to ingest and has beneficial effects on the digestion.

• Make sure all poultry housing is regularly treated with a good preservative.

• Replace roofing felt with clear corrugated sheeting over plywood or corrugated Onduline sheeting, to remove places for the mite to hide.

• In a severe infestation, the housing can be ‘torched’ with a blow lamp, along all the joins and crevices, taking care, of course, to avoid igniting a fire! Mite will explode as the flame touches them.

• Remember that brand new housing is vulnerable – don’t be complacent!

• Use a good poultry tonic, vitamin, herbal supplement to increase the resistance of the hens to mite attack.

• Garlic, either as a supplement added to the drinking water or as a clove placed in the drinker, is widely reputed to be an effective mite repellent.

• Cider Vinegar is reputed to have many health advantages, and is often used as a general tonic and mineral supplement, for increased egg production, improved feathering and bone development, increased disease resistance and also decreased attractiveness to blood-sucking parasites.

© PestTrappa 2009. The whole of this document is copyright and is made available for the use of SMITE resellers and their customers. Any reproduction or further publication of this document, in whole or in part, by any means, may be made only with the express permission of PestTrappa and its origin should be acknowledged. Smite and Smite Professional are Trademarks of PestTrappa. Contact: PestTrappa Tel: +44 (01246) 264635 or info@smite-a-mite.com