[Kym503]

Blasted redmite are back again.  I won a battle with them last year but I knew it wouldn't last!
My girls live in a 6ft x 4ft garden shed ....yes I know...hindsight is a wonderful thing!!
I'm now considering burning the whole thing and starting again as I am sure they are all under the felt roof.  However, I've got another larger shed right next to it (6inch gap between the rooves) which is used for normal gardening equipement.  If I remove the infected shed and start again is the other shed likely to have red mite in it/on it which will march their way back to the new replacement hen house once it's constructed?

Kym

[Kenilworth]

Not sure about the neigbouring shed but at a guess i would say yes.

if you are replacing with a new woodern coop then the chances are you will get red mite again whatever. If you have a woodern coop then  its more a case of when you will get them rather than if! A good cleaning regime will always keep them down to a manageable level which wont be too much of a risk to your hens but eradicating them forever in wood............tough ask!!

If Red mite really is an issue then perhaps look at getting a plastic coop if you can afford it

[ANHBUC]

Could you try adapting the shed you have?  Replace the roof with onduline roofing sheets and line out the interior with ply using decorators caulk to seal all of the joints.  Then treat the inside with Diatomaceous Earth slurry which the powder mixed with washing up liquid and water then painted on the wood.  Treat your hens at the same time with frontline.   

[orchardlady]

I should think that's it's highly probable that you will have the same problem with the next door shed to as they are so close. If you tear one down the escapees will take refuge in the next door shed to come out and make life hell all over again.

I would advise working very very hard at getting rid of the red mite. Remove the roof of felt and replace with onduline or other bituman based roofing. Remove ALL felt even on nest boxes.

Dispose of the old felt and any bedding away from your property and if possible double bag it for disposal.

Use Poultry Shield every five days and drench the house and the land around it. Do this for 3 weeks to be on the safe side. Use shredded newspaper as bedding during this time and either double bag and dispose of the used bedding away from your property or burn it, very pongy!

Personally I would not line the house out with boarding and caulking as the mite WILL find a way behind it. You want your house to be as accessible as possible for you to keep up the Poultry Shield regime.

As suggested paint he interior of the hen house and I mean every little nook and cranny including the nest boxes and inside of the roof with the DE slurry mixture as suggested.

All hard work but worth doing as your hens will lay much better.

OL