Controlling red mite with a natural solution

Like cockroaches, the red mite is a lucifugous animal, hiding by daylight in crevices, under slats and around doors and windows of buildings, and coming out at night to feed – this is why it’s often hard to detect an issue before it becomes an infestation. When red mite does come out, the results can be devastating. A female mite can suck up to 60ml of blood every time it feeds and it can swell to 15 times its weight by taking six to eight consecutive meals. Red mites are capable of sucking up to five per cent of the blood of a hen in a day.

As well as spreading disease, an infestation of red mites can result in birds becoming stressed and weakened – which can lead to feather pecking and cannibalism, as well as anaemia and compromised immune systems, leaving them susceptible to disease. Poultry affected by red mite consume more feed whilst actually producing less – it has a very real effect on the bottom line. A severe infestation can result in 10 times the usual mortalityrate and egg production can drop by 25%. Those eggs produced may be smaller and/or stained with blood, resulting in them being downgraded.

Mites also have a consequence for humans – aside from being unpleasant, their bites can cause dermatitis and eczema.

Red mite is prolific – the breeding cycle from egg to adult takes only seven days in optimal conditions. The male mates with three or four females every day and one fertilisation is enough for the female to continue to lay eggs for 50 days. Within a week, 100 mites can multiply to 163,000 mites. In addition to this, mites can survive for up to 8 months without a feed, so even if a shed is empty, they are still there. They also don’t die off during the winter, they simply hibernate. Of course, good husbandry and biosecurity practices will always help to keep red mite at bay, but a treatment plan to deal with outbreaks is essential.

Effective treatment of red mite should include througher turnaround procedure before placement of the birds. Insecticides such as Exzolt can largrly reduce red mite successfully eliminate every red mite in a shed if administered correctly –it works by disrupting the nervous system. Because of its potency, Exzolt is only available from vets and is expensive. While highly effective it does not prevent reinfestation if red mite is caried back into the shed at any time. There is also a danger that mites can develop a resistance in the event of repeated or insufficient use.

A non-chemical approach might be to use a dessicant or degreaser such as Smite Organic DE Powder or Smite Professional - these products attack the exo-skeleton of the mite, resulting in death. However redmite is a persistent and ever-present threat, and products like these require manual application and can become time consuming.

Oblitermite is a unique combination of hydro alcoholic plant extracts: Origanum Vulgare, Echinacea Purpurea, Ginseng and Cynorrhodon. These completely natural extracts stimulate the bird’s blood into creating its own natural toxins, which cause the mite's blood to coagulate.Because Oblitermite is a totally natural solution, it has zero withdrawal time for both eggs and meat and there is no danger of the mites developing any cross-resistance. It can be simply administered via the drinker lines whilst the birds are in situ and no protective equipment is required. Oblitermite is safe for birds, safe for workers and safe for the eggs.

Oblitermite also acts as an excellent tonic for overall bird health.

• The aromatics, Ginseng, Echinacea, Rosehip and Oregano are well known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.
• Vitamin C boosts the immune system.
• Added electrolytes ensure good absorption of nutrients.

Oblitermite is a very cost-effective solution to a perennial problem. In an industry where there is constant pressure to reduce our reliance on potentially harmful chemicals or insecticides, it makes sense to harness healthy, widely-available ingredients, and provide the hen with the means to naturally defeat what can be a devastating pest.

For more details on how farms have incorporated Oblitermite into their pest control programmes, get in touch with one of our expert advisors today.