Post by Julie on Apr 7, 2006 16:58:14 GMT
This is just a brief summary about mites but if anyone wants any more info please let me know and I'll try and find something more 'in depth.'
MITES
Dermanyssus
aka. Red Mite/ Roost Mite
Free-living mite living in housing; breeds off the host and only feeds (blood) at night. Primarily a parasite of poultry (D. gallinae) but will feed on any bird. Can cause intense irritation and restlessness as well as anaemia/ debility if numbers large enough. May be fatal to young birds.
Diagnosis: mites active at night. May get on humans as well as birds. Examine birds/ perches/ etc at night. A white sheet placed in aviary/ over cage at night may attract mites which can then be seen in the morning (Keymer 1982).
Environmental control essential but it should be realised that this is extremely difficult to achieve.
Dermanyssus
aka. Red Mite/ Roost Mite
Free-living mite living in housing; breeds off the host and only feeds (blood) at night. Primarily a parasite of poultry (D. gallinae) but will feed on any bird. Can cause intense irritation and restlessness as well as anaemia/ debility if numbers large enough. May be fatal to young birds.
Diagnosis: mites active at night. May get on humans as well as birds. Examine birds/ perches/ etc at night. A white sheet placed in aviary/ over cage at night may attract mites which can then be seen in the morning (Keymer 1982).
Environmental control essential but it should be realised that this is extremely difficult to achieve.
