How I Beat Red Mite Naturally: A UK Poultry Farmer’s Guide
By Pammy Riggs – Organic Poultry Farmer, Author & All-Round Good Egg!
Red mite. If you’ve ever kept chickens, you’ll know the dread. After more than 30 years of organic poultry farming here in the UK, I’ve learned a thing or two about dealing with these tiny terrors. And I can promise you—there are natural ways to tackle red mites, without resorting to harsh chemicals.
In this guide, I’ll share what’s worked for me, including my absolute game-changer: suspended perches!
What Are Red Mites And Why Are They a Problem?
Red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are blood-sucking parasites that live in the cracks and crevices of poultry housing. They come out at night to feed on your birds, causing itching, stress, anaemia, and in severe cases, death. They are only red because of the blood they have sucked, otherwise they are grey.
Whether you’re a backyard hen keeper or a smallholder with a busy flock, you can’t ignore them. But the good news? You don’t need chemicals to win the battle.
How to Spot Red Mite Trouble in Your Hen House
There is a certain smell for those with keen noses – I used to know it immediately. Check your birds’ feathers and look out for:
- Hens reluctant to roost.
- Pale combs and wattles.
- Flaky grey dust in corners (mite nests).
- Red smears on perches from squashed mites.
- Drop in egg production.
Top Tip: Go into the hen house at night with a torch and a white cloth or tissue. Wipe along the perch—if you spot red streaks, you’ve got red mites.
NB Use blue light so the hens won’t wake up, use blue tissue paper to cover the bulb for example. With a normal white torch light they often hop off their perches and are left stranded on the ground in the dark – very annoying!
My Tried & Tested Natural Solutions for Red Mite Removal
1. Hanging Perches: My Best Discovery Yet!
By suspending perches from ropes or wires rather than fixing them to hen house walls, you make it much harder for red mite to reach your birds. Mites don’t fly—they crawl. And by greasing the ropes (I use udder grease, petroleum jelly or even goose fat), you create a barrier they can’t cross.
This method has made the biggest difference to my birds’ comfort and health. My girls sleep soundly again!
Top Tip – have some spare perches around and swap them over from time to time, this breaks the cycle if any of the crafty creatures manage to get past your defences. A tree branch does the job, it just has to be strong enough.
2. Deep Cleaning and Regular Maintenance
A thorough clean-out is your first line of defence. Here’s what I do:
- Strip out all bedding and burn it (if you suspect you have red mites).
- Scrub the coop with hot water and apple cider vinegar.
- Use a blowtorch carefully in crevices (where safe!) to kill hidden mites.
- Dry the house thoroughly before reintroducing bedding.
3. Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Use with Care
Dusting DE into cracks, perch ends, and dust-bathing areas is effective too. It’s a natural powder that kills mites by drying them out. However, these days I tend not to use this. Whilst it’s a natural solution it is a finite resource and there are more sustainable solutions.
NB Do be cautious: DE can irritate your lungs, so wear a mask. And remember, while it’s natural, it’s also a finite resource, so use it consciously.
4. Herbal Helpers
I add herbs like wormwood, lavender, and mint to the laying areas. Not only do they smell lovely, but they also help repel pests.
You can also make a natural spray with garlic and a splash of neem oil (diluted in warm water with a splash of gentle washing up liquid). Spray it on surfaces, perches, and corners as an extra line of defence.
My Summer Red Mite Prevention Routine
- Weekly inspections—especially in warm weather.
- Grease perch ropes every week.
- Swap perches regularly and leave unused perches in sunlight and exposed to weather as a natural cleaning process.
- Deep clean every fortnight during red mite season (summer).
- Keep the floor, nests and dust baths dry and fresh.
Why I Avoid Chemical Mite Treatments
As an organic poultry farmer, I choose natural solutions that protect both my flock’s health and the environment. Chemical treatments can lead to residues in eggs and harm beneficial insects and soil life. I prefer to work with nature, not against it.
In a Nutshell: You Can Beat Red Mite Naturally
Suspended perches and greased ropes made a huge difference for my flock. Add in regular cleaning and natural repellents, and you’ve got a sustainable system that works. Your hens will thank you with better health—and more eggs!
About the author
Pammy Riggs has been an organic poultry farmer for over 30 years, winning numerous awards including Organic Business of the Year. You might recognise her from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s and Rick Stein’s TV programs. She also has turned her hand to writing, co-authoring ‘Keeping Chickens for Dummies‘ and was a regular columnist in “Your Chickens” and “Country Smallholding” magazines.
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