[nicky d]

i have a query about redmite ,   i was in collecting the eggs this morning, did a poo pick and then went in the house, just happened to look on my dressing gown and there were a few crawlies on there, so i must of picked them up from the coop when i leant in, now i need to describe these things to you, tried to take a piccy for my camera wont zoom in to them.   Obviously they are tiny tiny but not so that you have to squint if you know wot i mean, they look to have a blackish/redish tinged body which seems to be a shell, they are round looking also,  now ive seen these things on my garden fence which is near the coop and ive just gone to see if they are there now and they are out in the daylight crawling around the fence so they obvioulsy got on the coop aswell.   When you squash them there is just a clear fluid no blood.   I had a look round the garden and we have an old dog kennel and theres some on that too, just wish i could get a piccy,   do you reckon its redmite or just some kind of crawlie that lives on wood,   i got some tissue and rubbed it on the underside of the perch and nothing was on that, just a bit of creosote on the tissue.   Hope someone can put me at ease.   I found this piccy of red mite in the link, and they definatley dont look like these, definately more blacker but i just want to check with yous anyway xx
http://www.thepoultrygarden.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=45&p=127135

[Aunt Sally]

Have a google for "Red Velvet Mite"  If it's those they are of no problem to your hens.

[nicky d]

thanks aunt sally for that,  no they are definately black in colour and you carnt see the legs like that,  am i right in saying that red mite are nocturnal and wouldnt be crawling around in the daylight like on a garden fence etc.     Nickyx

[Aunt Sally]

Absolutely right.  They would be hiding in nooks and cranies during the daytime.

[nicky d]

Absolutely right.  They would be hiding in nooks and cranies during the daytime.

prehaps i can breathe a sigh of relief then, as these are more than happy to move along the fence, so ive just drove my husband made all morning about redmite lol lol, arh well sure it will keep him on his toes lol, thanks aunt sally   nickyx