What should I do if I find red mite in the coop? | arlo.® Atlas
Share This Guide
Read time: 3 minutes
Overview
If you find red mite in the coop, the priority is to clean the housing and check the birds for signs of irritation or blood loss. Red mite are a common poultry parasite and they often hide in cracks and crevices during the day, so finding them doesn't always tell you how long they've been there.
There may be more than one cause of the problem, including a harbourage in the coop, contaminated bedding, nearby birds, or a build-up in hard-to-reach areas.
Things To Check
1. Check the birds at night or early morning, when red mite are more likely to be active on the hens.
2. Look for pale combs, restlessness, reduced laying, feather condition changes, or birds avoiding the coop.
3. Inspect perches, corners, joins, nest boxes and any cracks for clusters of tiny moving dots, specks or staining.
4. Check bedding, dust build-up and any damp areas, especially where the coop is harder to clean thoroughly.
5. Look for signs of stress in the flock such as reduced appetite, scratching, or hens spending more time outside than usual.
6. Review whether new birds, used housing or second-hand equipment could have introduced the mites.
7. Check whether the infestation seems limited to one section of the coop or is present in several areas.
Common Causes
The most common cause is a red mite infestation in the coop itself, especially in wooden housing, joints and other small gaps where mites can hide.
They may also appear after introducing used equipment, moving birds into a previously occupied coop, or if cleaning has been less effective in hard-to-reach areas.
In some cases, a heavy burden can build up gradually without being obvious until birds start showing signs of irritation or poor condition.
What To Do
Move the birds to a clean, safe area if needed while you deal with the coop.
Remove bedding, droppings and loose debris, then clean the housing thoroughly, paying extra attention to joins, perch ends, nest boxes and cracks.
Wash or scrub all reachable surfaces as part of your normal coop hygiene routine, then let everything dry fully before replacing clean bedding.
Repeat checks over the next few nights, because red mite can be easy to miss in daylight and may remain in hidden areas.
Monitor the flock for signs of stress, reduced laying, pale combs or worsening condition, and keep an eye on any birds that seem more affected than the rest.
If the problem keeps returning, review the coop structure, bedding routine, stocking levels and how often the housing is fully cleaned.
Products That May Help
Keeping the coop and surrounding area well managed can make your routine easier when you’re dealing with red mite and checking the housing for hidden build-up.
Related Questions
How do I know if red mite is affecting my hens?
How often should I check the coop for red mite?
Can red mite spread to other poultry housing?
Atlas is here to support owners with practical, easy-to-understand guidance. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you're concerned about your animal's health, symptoms worsen, or something doesn't feel right, contact your vet.