Red mite — the blight of the poultry world

Abstract

The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, is a blood feeding parasite of poultry and occasionally other animals and is recognised as one of, if not the most, important ectoparasites in poultry production across the globe. Its short lifecycle can result in large numbers of mites in a short amount of time. These explosions in populations often have adverse effects on poultry health with symptoms ranging from mild irritation and reduced productivity to death due to blood loss; the health, welfare and financial consequences of infections can be huge. Detecting burdens within poultry housing can be difficult due to the nocturnal nature of the red mite which hides in small cracks and crevices during the day. Due to this, quantifying the level of infection is also of concern with some burdens being missed until an increase in mortality is noted. Treatment is equally troublesome due to poultry housing design and the limited options of approved products.