[Madrat]

OK before they get them what is the best product to use both on the girls and in the coop  :blink:thinking about it how do I know when they have them    Apart from worms is there any other hitch hikers to be aware of 

[8doubles]

Lots of info here, http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?board=13.0

I have had no mite problems since i started using diatomaceous earth.
Dettol killed the majority of the blighters .

[Knight Family]

they've started coming out again, might as well get ready now!

[Madrat]

Hmm, think I will get some diatomaceous earth and give that a go first.

[audi]

Someone told me to give my girls fresh garlic everyday and if the mites come they will not attack the chickens as they don't like the taste of garlic, it gets in the blood but does not effect the eggs, my girls have garlic cloves cut up everyday but not having had red mite I cannot say just how effective it is.

[ManicMum]

Can believe garlic or similar in the bloodstream could work: we've had far less trouble with midge bites in the Scottish Highlands in summer since we started taking brewers yeast tablets - they don't bite as much & the bites clear up quicker

[Lindeggs]

I'm sure Hillfooter will be along soon to say garlic only keeps vampires away (which it does!) and all the rest is witchcraft.  But I think you certainly can't do any harm by feeding garlic to your girls so go right ahead and try it!

I just got my pullets yesterday from a breeder who has 1400 birds!  He feeds them all raw garlic, molasses and apple cider vinegar and they seem to be the picture of good health.

[Chrysalis]

We've had our girls for two years now and no mites.... we dust them every two to three weeks and use 'stalosan' in the henhouse. We get it from the farm suppliers (Wynnstay) in our locality.  Farmers use it for all sorts of stuff like keeping sheep pens and cattle sheds clean and disease free.  Works for us! Worming with flubenvet also recommended a few times a year...

[alisonwo]

We give our girls garlic in their feed, the dried stuff you get for horses is good value and cheaper than the smaller chicken stuff.  Can't say it keeps away red mite though as we still have that in the house sometimes.  The garlic doesn't taint the eggs and its a good internal cleanser, my dogs and I take it as well.