Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Bodger on June 20, 2008, 12:24

Title: Red Mite v Red Spider Mite
Post by: Bodger on June 20, 2008, 12:24

I know what red mite can do to birds but what about red spider mite ?

In sunny weather I quite often see the small red spiders crawling on wooden buildings, that I presume are red spider mite, what if anything are they supposed to do chickens ?

Title: Red Mite v Red Spider Mite
Post by: Roughlee Handled on June 20, 2008, 13:07

Very good question.

Title: Red Mite v Red Spider Mite
Post by: Ruby Red on June 20, 2008, 13:24

Apparently red spider mite feed on plants. Especially tomatoes etc. I cant find anywhere that says red spider mite attack chickens. I think ,as you say, that is red mite. The RSM tend to like it warm hence you find them congregating on wooden windowsills and obviously wooden hen houses. The best way to deal with them is to spray them with icy cold water. Nothing more than that really. They HATE being cold. I should say that if they are seen in daylight on the outside they are RSM because RM of the chicken variety only come out at night anyway I think.  :?

Title: Red Mite v Red Spider Mite
Post by: GrannieAnnie on June 20, 2008, 14:20

Red spider mite I occaionally get on my patio table or in the greenhouse, but like ruby said I've never heard of them being harmful to chickens Bodger!

You never know, they might be so red because they eat all the red mites????   No????  Oh well, worth a try!!!!! :lol:

Title: RED MITE
Post by: AC on June 27, 2008, 15:06

Last year we bought chickens and there was not a problem.  This year, red mite has killed 4!  We use powder on them, and dust the hen house with it.  What can we buy that is more effective on the hen house, as it does not seem to be working?

Title: Red Mite v Red Spider Mite
Post by: Planner on June 27, 2008, 17:44

Ok But explain what the red mite actually is - Are there any internet links to them, what are the signs of infestation. Whats the prevention and treatment.

Sorry but a newbie to this as well :?

Title: Red Mite v Red Spider Mite
Post by: Vember on June 27, 2008, 18:31

Don't think I've said Hi yet Planner so here goes...


HI :)

Have a look here gives you all the creepy crawlie things and how to  treat them, you won't stop scratching fo a bit though  :lol:

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=5250
Have Fun :)

Title: Red Mite v Red Spider Mite
Post by: Miss Bean on June 27, 2008, 20:03

that's a really useful post... it needs to be a sticky... oh yeah – it's in poultry info!!!  :roll: