Warning of increased red mite risk

Poultry producers are facing a heightened risk of costly and debilitating red mite infestation this spring, experts have warned.

The news comes as a result of both milder spells of weather and in consequence to the need to keep free-range birds indoors, under avian influenza prevention zone restrictions, which both favour the red mite’s life cycle.

“The worry of avian influenza is at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now – but with free-range birds having to be housed as a result, the reality is that red mite populations are exploding,” said Alison Colville-Hyde, field services manager at St David’s Poultry Team.

“Red mite can be debilitating to hens and irritating to egg collectors, as well as causing economic loss through egg downgrades and increasing the risk of disease transfer.”

However, following six years of development, a new treatment is now available to poultry farmers.

According to St David’s, the “innovative” non-toxic product Dergall works by mechanical means, rather than systemically, so unlike many insecticides it is safe to poultry and humans and does not lead to resistance from the red mite population.

“When mixed with water and sprayed on to the inside of the poultry house, Dergall creates a unique threedimensional molecular structure which is air permeable,” said Ms Colville-Hyde.

“This structure immobilises the mites and blocks their spiracles, through which they breathe. This action results in destruction of the mite eggs, nymphs and adult red mites.”

Used at 1%, one litre of Dergall dilutes into 100 litres of solution to spray – and can even be safely sprayed directly on to the birds.

“One treatment is usually sufficient to knock back the mite population to practically zero,” she said.

Red mites feed on birds at night, under the cover of darkness, by sucking their blood. Once they have fed, the mites crawl back out of sight into hardto-reach places of the poultry house, often never seen until the infestation is out of control.

Picture: PA. Red mite can cause huge distress to poultry and have a negative effect on egg production.