[kbrown]

Hi. New to this site and here for some advice please.
We have had hens on and off for 20yrs.
Moved recently and decided to have some back garden chucks.
All going well for over 12 months until 2 weeks ago. Came back from holiday to find a infestation of mites in the wooden hen shed. The house sitter has unwittingly brought them into the house.
I am going crazy itching but the rest of the family seem to be unaffected.
Power washed the shed and treated and is looking better but how can I kill the little swines in my house. They are even in our bed.
Hoovering, bleaching, essential oils and flea spray already used. Also tumble drying pillows etc.
I have a cat so need to be careful which chemicals I use as most are fatal  to cats.
Made the decision that the hens will need to go as I really can't cope 😢

[New shoot]

Hi and sorry to hear about your troubles.  I don't know the answer, but maybe ask the vet as they must have cases where people have critters invade their houses from pets.  There may be sprays they can sell you that you can't buy over the counter.

You could also try the council.  They have people they call in to fumigate houses.  Drastic I know, but if you can't shift them ...

[chasingmytail]

jet wash out with hot water, disinfect with smite or similar, cover with poultry guard and DE (diatomaceous earth - EBAY) every piece of wood putting layer on floor, Bedding sawdust.  Also give the birds a plastic bath and fill with DE, sand and if you can get hold of it wood ash.  Its a constant battle with red mite the other option is to ceosalt the whole thing.

[Featherstone]

Sorry to hear this, mites really are a pain if you are sensitive to them. Are the mites def. the same - the chicken ones and those in the house? Just keep doing what you are doing. I bug bomb my house once a year in spring they are meant to last 3-6month but it is likely it is the same thing as your flea spray. I use either the insecto or johnsons, you might need to reapply a few weeks inbetween to get them under control. Venting/ opening windows - if the house was shut up whilst you were away it might be a bit humid hence why the little critters are everywhere, then thorough regular cleaning. I also advise creocoting your hen house and showering straight after cleaning your chooks out. Unfortunately I haven't found anything else useful over the years 

[SnooziSuzi]

Are they the white/grey ones that get everywhere?

If so, we had them last year and they are a pain to get rid of.  We had to use a combination of scorching the hen house with a blow torch (get right into the corners where they hide - they make a satisfying popping sound) spray the henhouse, outside your own house with an olive oil and lavender  (although tea tree would work just as well) concoction (10 drops lavender oil / to oil to 250ml olive oil  - also works as a bug repellent when rubbed into your skin and moisturises ).

In the house, spread some diatomaceous earth or permethrin into the corners and crevices. Hoover after 24 hours. 

You can also squish the mites under your fingernails if they are crawling on you.

Repeat all of this if necessary, bThey are worst at this time of year.

We did this last year, still have the same chickens and haven't had an infestation since.

Good luck.  I know how horrible it is and I feel for you xx

[grinling]

Hillfooter's Slurry for the hen house


from another site, very interesting with lots of help
poultrykeeper.com/blog/will-red-mite-infest-your-house/