[becksi]

I really hope its not red mite i have found, just as i thought things were ok.

I purchased a massive bail of straw 3 weeks ago and have been keeping it in a wheelie bin in the garden, i have been using it when cleaning out the coop and all has been ok, just now i done a poo pick as i call it and was going to top up the straw in the coop, I opened the wheelie bin and on the inside of the lid i see little dark grey almost black bugs walking about, also around the lip of the bin.

I flicked one in the hope it would fly away but it didnt  they are about the size of head lice, can red mite have found their way into my wheelie bin and now be living in the straw?

I gave the coop a real good check and there are not any in there, so they must have got in the bin & staw within the last 24hrs, if it is them.

The coop always has a good dusting of Diatom present, so maybe its kept them away from there.

Thanks.

[poultrygeist]

We keep our bale in a wheelie bin too and last week there were a load of tiny spiderlings around the lid. Wonder if yours may have been the same ?

Hope so.

Rob

[becksi]

I hope so too, but dont know how to tell 

I'm not going to chance using the straw just incase and i think i'll move the wheelie bin right up the other end of the garden and spray it with poultry sheild before using it again.

[GrannieAnnie]

If they are the same size as lice Becksi, they are not red mite.  Red mite are TINY!!   VERY TINY.  Grey at first, then they get red when they drink your chooks blood

[becksi]

Thanks GA, these are not tiny tiny, i can see little legs with the naked eye, so i'd say their not red mite if red mite are like a pin prick in size, phew 

[Hensington]

Definately not red mite then. Mite are very small. Love the fact that we use headlice as a yardstick, the joys of children in junior schools....

[raeburg]

Definately not red mite then. Mite are very small. Love the fact that we use headlice as a yardstick, the joys of children in junior schools....

lol

have waged chemical warfare on the blighters today.  can recommend the duramitex plus spray.  expensive but kills them fast.   chickens now eating diatomos (sp) earth stuff!

[becksi]

Definately not red mite then. Mite are very small. Love the fact that we use headlice as a yardstick, the joys of children in junior schools....

I wouldnt mind but my daughter is 15 years old and its only since Christmas she has stopped bringing them home  yuk i hate them.