How to Kill Chicken Mites Fast: 10 Effective Natural & Chemical Solutions

Discovering that your chickens have mites can be frustrating and concerning. These tiny parasites feed on your birds’ blood cause irritation and can even lead to anemia or death if left untreated. I’ve dealt with mite infestations in my backyard flock before, and I know firsthand how important it is to act quickly.

In this guide, I’ll share the most effective ways to kill chicken mites, from natural remedies to stronger treatments for serious infestations. Whether you prefer chemical-free options or need something more powerful, you’ll find practical solutions to eliminate these pesky parasites and prevent them from returning.

What Are Chicken Mites?

Before we dive into treatment methods, let’s understand what we’re dealing with:

Chicken mites are tiny external parasites (arachnids) that feed on your chickens’ blood The most common types include

• Northern fowl mites – Dark in color (pale if young or unfed), have eight legs, and are barely visible to the naked eye. These are the most common in the United States, especially in northern regions where they prefer cooler weather.

• Red mites – Oblong shape, bright red especially after feeding, and have eight legs. These are more common in warm, humid climates but less common in the United States.

• Scaly leg mites – A type of burrowing mite that lives under the scales on a chicken’s feet and legs They’re not visible to the naked eye but can be diagnosed by symptoms like raised scales

These parasites have a short life cycle of about 7-10 days, but they reproduce quickly, allowing infestations to grow exponentially if not addressed promptly.

Signs Your Chickens Have Mites

Look for these common signs of mite infestation:

• Excessive scratching, pecking, and preening
• Dirty vent feathers
• Pin-size holes in flight feathers
• Decreased egg production
• Pale comb (due to blood loss)
• Raised scales on feet and legs
• Debris under scales
• Limping
• Visible parasites or egg masses at the base of feather follicles
• Restlessness, especially at night
• Feather loss

10 Effective Ways to Kill Chicken Mites

Now let’s get to the heart of the matter – how to kill these pesky parasites:

1. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

What it is: A natural powder made from fossilized diatoms that slices through the exoskeletons of mites, causing them to dehydrate and die.

How to use it:

• Dust your chickens directly, focusing on the vent area, under wings, and around the neck
• Add to dust bathing areas
• Sprinkle in nesting boxes and around the coop
• Mix into the coop bedding

Effectiveness: Works well for prevention and mild infestations, but may not be sufficient for severe cases.

Warning: Be careful not to inhale the fine dust as it can irritate lungs. Only kills live parasites, not eggs.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Method 1: Add to drinking water

• Add 1 tablespoon of ACV to each gallon of drinking water
• Offer this for one week each month
• Use only in plastic waterers (metal ones will rust)

Method 2: ACV soak

• Fill a tub with room temperature water
• Add 1 tablespoon of ACV per gallon of water
• Soak infected chickens for 20-30 minutes
• Pay special attention to vent and neck areas
• Towel dry afterward

Method 3: ACV spray

• Mix equal parts ACV and water in a spray bottle
• Spray directly on chickens, coop walls, nesting boxes, and roosting bars
• Pull back feathers to spray the base where mites hide

3. Garlic Treatments

Method 1: Garlic oil spray

• Mix 10 oz water with 1 tablespoon garlic juice
• Add 1 teaspoon lavender or cinnamon for a better smell
• Spray liberally on chickens and throughout the coop
• Apply daily for two weeks, then every other day for another two weeks

Method 2: Garlic in drinking water

• Add 3-4 crushed garlic cloves per gallon of drinking water
• Replace with fresh water after 2 days
• Repeat twice weekly for prevention

4. Neem Oil

Neem oil is an effective natural treatment that disrupts the mite life cycle.

How to use it:

• Mix 2 teaspoons of neem oil into a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar and water
• Spray the coop interior, focusing on corners and nesting boxes
• For direct chicken treatment, dip birds in a solution of a few teaspoons of neem oil in a gallon of warm water
• Can also be applied directly to scaly leg mites

5. Dawn Dish Soap

Method 1: Soapy bath (warm weather only)

• Fill a tub with room temperature water
• Add 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap
• Agitate to create bubbles
• Soak chicken for 20 minutes, gently rubbing soap over body (avoid head)
• Rinse with clean water and towel dry
• Allow to dry completely in warm sun

Method 2: Spray solution

• Mix 10 oz water with 1 teaspoon Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle
• Spray chickens daily for 2 weeks, then every other day for 2 more weeks
• Ensure spray reaches the base of feathers where mites hide

6. Herbs and Essential Oils

Certain herbs naturally repel and kill mites:

• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Chamomile
• Marigold (Calendula)
• Marjoram
• Thyme
• Garlic
• Mint
• Lemon balm
• Cinnamon
• Clove

How to use them:

• Sprinkle dried herbs in nesting boxes and under roosting bars
• Add to dust baths
• Hang dried herb bundles in the coop
• Create herbal sprays by steeping herbs in water

7. Wood Ash

What it is: The powdery residue left after burning wood, which works similar to diatomaceous earth.

How to use it:

• Add cooled wood ash to dust bathing areas
• Chickens will naturally fling it over their bodies, suffocating mites

Important safety note: Only use ash from natural, untreated wood. Never use ash from pressure-treated lumber, painted/stained wood, or wood burned with chemical accelerants.

8. Spinosad

For severe infestations, Spinosad (found in products like Elector PSP) is highly effective.

How to use it:

• Mix 9ml Spinosad per 1 gallon of water
• Apply directly to infected birds
• Spray around the coop (remove food and water first)
• Kills both live mites and eggs, so reapplication is rarely necessary
• No egg or meat withdrawal period required

9. Permethrin

Permethrin is a chemical treatment that comes in liquid or powder form.

How to use it:

• Apply directly to birds following product instructions
• Use in the coop environment
• No egg withdrawal period for Permethrin 10%

Warning: Highly toxic to cats. Keep cats away from treated areas and wash hands thoroughly after application.

10. Deep Clean the Coop

This is essential regardless of which treatment method you choose:

1. Remove all bedding from the coop
2. Power wash the entire coop, including roosting bars, nesting boxes, walls, and floor
3. Scrub any remaining grime and rinse again
4. Spray with a solution of 1 tablespoon ACV in 1 gallon of water
5. Allow to air dry completely
6. Add fresh, clean bedding

How to Treat Scaly Leg Mites

Scaly leg mites require a slightly different approach:

1. Choose one of the mite treatments mentioned above
2. Gently wash the chicken’s legs and feet with warm, soapy water (don’t scrub off raised scales)
3. Dry the legs and feet
4. Dip legs in neem oil, coating entirely
5. Apply your chosen mite treatment spray
6. Allow to air dry for a few minutes
7. Apply Vaseline or petroleum jelly over legs and feet to suffocate mites
8. Retreat several times a week until condition improves

Preventing Chicken Mites

Prevention is always easier than treatment! Here’s how to keep mites away:

1. Provide dust baths: Ensure your flock always has access to a dust bath area with diatomaceous earth or wood ash added.

2. Control wild birds and rodents: They can introduce mites to your coop.

3. Use preventative sprays monthly: Rotate between 3-4 different preventatives to avoid resistance.

4. Perform monthly health checks: Catch mite problems early before they become severe.

5. Quarantine new birds: Keep new chickens separate for 2-3 weeks and treat them for parasites before introducing them to your flock.

6. Regular coop cleaning: Keep the coop clean and dry, with special attention to roosting bars.

7. Hang herbs in the coop: Aromatic herbs like mint, rosemary, and lavender help deter mites.

Can Humans Get Chicken Mites?

Chicken mites can bite humans and cause itchiness, swelling, and irritation, but they cannot survive on human hosts. You’re most likely to get bitten when handling infested birds or cleaning an infested coop. Always wear protective clothing when treating a mite infestation.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that the best approach to chicken mites is to catch them early through regular health checks and have a multi-pronged treatment plan ready. For my flock, I prefer starting with natural methods like diatomaceous earth, herbal dust baths, and apple cider vinegar treatments. If the infestation is severe, I don’t hesitate to use something stronger like Spinosad.

Remember that mites can live for up to three weeks without a host, so thorough coop cleaning is just as important as treating your birds. With persistence and the right approach, you can eliminate chicken mites and keep your flock healthy and comfortable.

Have you dealt with chicken mites before? What treatment worked best for your flock? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!

The fastest way to get rid of chicken mites is a two-pronged approach: treat the chickens with a product like Elector PSP, which kills all life stages, or Permethrin used in a two-treatment cycle, while simultaneously deep-cleaning and treating the coop with a desiccant dust like food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE). Treating the coop is crucial because mites live in crevices between feedings, and a comprehensive approach ensures the entire life cycle is eradicated.

Yes, Dawn dish soap can kill chicken mites on contact by breaking down their exoskeletons. However, it’s not a long-term solution on its own, as it only kills existing mites and not their eggs, and doesn’t address the source of the infestation. For a comprehensive approach, you should also clean the coop thoroughly, use a safe insecticide or diatomaceous earth (DE) in the coop and dust baths, and provide clean nesting areas.

High heat from steam or hot water washing, specific pesticides like pyrethroids, horticultural oils, and some natural substances like diatomaceous earth or alcohol can kill mites instantly or very quickly depending on the type of mite and method.