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How to Get Rid of Chicken Mites: A Coop Clean-Out Plan

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Treat the coop, not just the chickens.1,2 Poultry red mites hide in cracks and perch ends by day and feed on birds at night, so you have to clean out the whole house, treat every crack and joint, and repeat every 7 days for at least three rounds to catch mites hatching from eggs.1,2

Northern fowl mites are different: they live on the bird, so they need a bird treatment prescribed by your veterinarian.3,4

Which mite do you have?

The four parasites most often called chicken mites or lice, where each lives and what you see. Sources:1,2,3,4,8
PestWhere it livesWhat you see
Poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)In the coop: cracks, perch ends, nest boxes. Feeds at night.1,2Gray specks that turn red after feeding; clusters in crevices; red smears when you run a white tissue along the perch at night1
Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum)On the bird, day and night4Dark mites and dirty feathers around the vent4
Scaly leg mite (Knemidocoptes mutans)Under the scales of legs and feetRaised, crusty, lifted leg scales.8 See scaly leg mites
Chicken liceOn feathers and skin; chew, do not suck blood1,3Straw-colored, fast-moving insects; egg clusters at feather bases

In many languages "chicken lice" is used for all of these. The treatment differs, so identify first.3 Our poultry red mite, northern fowl mite and chicken mites overview have close-up identification photos.

Signs of a mite problem

  • Pale combs and wattles1
  • Fewer eggs, or blood spots on eggs3
  • Birds restless at night or refusing to go into the coop to roost1
  • Gray or red specks in cracks, under perch ends and in nest box corners1,2
  • Itchy arms after working in the coop (see can chicken mites live on humans?)

The night check: two hours after dark, take a flashlight and run a white paper towel along the underside of the perches.1,2 Red streaks mean red mites are feeding.2

Coop clean-out, step by step

  1. Move the birds to a run or temporary pen for the day.5
  2. Strip the coop.5 Remove all bedding, nesting material and removable perches. Bag it and take it well away from the coop.5
  3. Scrape and brush droppings and debris from every surface, joint and corner.5
  4. Wash with hot water and detergent, using a pressure washer where the structure allows.5 Pay attention to perch ends, perch brackets, nest box seams and roof joints.1,2
  5. Dry completely. Mites survive in damp debris; give the coop a full day of airflow.5
  6. Treat the structure with a product labeled for poultry house mites, following the label for rate, contact time and bird re-entry interval.1,3 Work it into every crack and joint.1,2
  7. Dust dry areas such as dust baths and under nest pads with food-grade diatomaceous earth if you use it, avoiding clouds of dust.6 See diatomaceous earth and chickens.
  8. Reassemble with fresh bedding once surfaces are dry.

Repeat schedule

A red mite can go from egg to adult in about seven days in warm weather, and eggs are not affected by most treatments.1 A single clean-out never finishes the job.1,2

A 21-day repeat program for poultry red mites, followed by monthly checks. Sources:1,2
DayAction
Day 0Full clean-out and structural treatment
Day 7Repeat treatment of cracks, perches and nest boxes; refresh bedding1
Day 14Repeat; check traps
Day 21Final repeat if traps still catch mites
Monthly afterNight check and trap check; peak season is late spring to early fall2

Monitoring traps: roll a strip of corrugated cardboard and tape it under a perch end. Red mites shelter in it. Open it weekly: the count tells you whether the program is working.

Treating the birds

Northern fowl mites and scaly leg mites live on the bird, so cleaning the coop is not enough.4,8 Ask a poultry veterinarian for a treatment suitable for laying hens, and follow any egg withdrawal period on the label.3 Treat every bird in the flock at the same time.8

Prevention

  • Use smooth, removable perches (metal or sealed plastic) and perch brackets that leave no gaps.7
  • Seal cracks and joints in wooden coops with caulk or paint.
  • Quarantine new birds for two to four weeks and check them before they join the flock.7
  • Keep wild birds out of the coop and feeders.1,4
  • Do a night check every month, weekly in summer.3

Larger flocks and commercial houses should follow a full program: see our integrated mite management protocol.

Key takeaways

  • Treat the coop as well as the birds, because poultry red mites hide in cracks by day and feed at night.
  • Identify the mite first: red mites live in the coop, while northern fowl mites and scaly leg mites live on the bird.
  • Strip, scrape, wash and dry the coop, then treat every crack and joint with a product labeled for poultry house mites.
  • Repeat the treatment every 7 days for at least three rounds, since eggs hatch after each treatment.
  • Mites on the bird need a veterinarian's treatment for laying hens, with any egg withdrawal period followed.

For poultry keepers and farms

Vegalab premise programs aid in the suppression of mite populations in poultry houses, from backyard coops to commercial barns.

See the mite management protocol

References

  1. External Parasites of PoultryUniversity of Kentucky, published by Small and Backyard Poultry (eXtension) · n.d., accessed 2026-11-14 · University extension publication
  2. Mites of PoultryMerck Veterinary Manual · 2026 · Veterinary reference
  3. Protecting Your Flocks from External Parasites: Mites and Lice (AZ1858)The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension · 2020 · University extension publication
  4. Northern Fowl Mite Management (Publication 2800)Mississippi State University Extension Service · 2019 · University extension publication
  5. Cleaning and disinfecting backyard poultry flock premisesAlberta Agriculture and Forestry (Government of Alberta) · 2015 · Government guidance
  6. Diatomaceous Earth General Fact SheetNational Pesticide Information Center (Oregon State University and U.S. EPA) · 2013 · Government guidance
  7. Bird mites (Pestsense fact sheet)Washington State University Extension · n.d., accessed 2026-11-14 · University extension publication
  8. Knemidocoptes mutans (scaly leg mite) in backyard flocksAnimal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph · 2021 · University extension publication

Frequently asked questions

Can chicken mites live in my house?

Poultry red mites can bite people but cannot complete their life cycle on humans.2,7 They will not establish in a home without birds.2 Washing clothes after coop work and showering is enough.

How long can red mites live without chickens?

Adult red mites can survive several months without feeding in an empty coop, which is why emptying a coop alone does not clear it.1,2

Do I need to throw away the coop?

Rarely. A thorough clean-out with repeat treatments clears most infestations. Heavily infested coops with many gaps may be worth rebuilding with smoother materials.

Are mites worse in summer?

Yes. Red mite populations grow fastest in warm weather, from late spring to early fall.2,3

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