Additional information

Outbursts of red mite populations cause stress in laying hens, leading to pecking problems, anemia or diseases transmitted by the parasite which result in production losses. Current hen housing and pesticide regulations together with resistance to conventional treatments are making it more difficult to control red mites. Combining available pesticides with red mite predators, along with other control methods may offer new solutions to the problem.

Tests have been conducted using different combinations of pesticides (amitraz or milbemectin), a predatory mite ("Androlaelaps casalis" applied through cultivation bottles attached to the housing system or "Cheyletus eruditus" which was spread manually throughout the housing system) and a plant-based supplement added to the drinking water.

The combination of the pesticide, the parasites and the plant-based supplement was the most effective. However, the effect is not persistent.

This integrated control approach shows promising results to overcome the limitations of available treatments by testing combinations of alternative pest control methods.



The research that yielded these results was funded by the Belgian Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment through the contract RT 15/1 DERMANYSSUS 2



N.Sleeckx, I. Kempen, and J.Zoons (2017) The effect of an integrated approach of predatory mites, local

acaricides and plant based supplements on poultry red mites. in: Xth European Symposium on Poultry Welfare, 19 - 22 June Ploufragan (France), pp. 66