Mites and lice are common external parasites that can infest backyard poultry and pet birds. These tiny insects live on the bird and feed on skin, feathers, and scales. An infestation can cause irritation, discomfort, feather damage, reduced egg production, weight loss, and even death in severe cases. Using a safe and effective spray to eliminate mites and lice is crucial for maintaining the health of backyard flocks and companion birds. This article will discuss the best mite and lice sprays for birds that can help get rid of these pesky parasites.
Causes and Symptoms of Mites and Lice in Birds
Mites and lice rapidly spread between birds through direct contact. Wild birds can also introduce mites and lice into backyard flocks. Overcrowding, stress, poor nutrition, and unclean living conditions encourage outbreaks. The main symptoms of mites and lice include:
- Excessive preening and feather picking
- Restlessness and irritation
- Scaly, crusty skin
- Small red mites visible on skin and feathers
- Scabby areas around eyes, beak, and neck
- Dandruff-like flakes on feathers
- Loss of feathers
- Pale combs and wattles
- Decline in egg production
- Weight loss and lethargy
Acting quickly with an appropriate treatment can resolve a mite or lice infestation before it gets out of control.
How Mite and Lice Sprays Work
Mite and lice sprays designed for backyard poultry contain insecticides that kill mites and lice on contact. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are common active ingredients with insecticidal properties derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Spinosad is another botanical insecticide sometimes used. Always carefully read the product label and follow directions. Using sprays incorrectly can harm birds, people, and the environment.
When applying a spray, thoroughly coat the bird’s vent, under wings, head, and neck while avoiding the eyes, nostrils, beak, and mouth. The spray paralyzes and kills mites and lice on feathers and skin upon contact. Repeated applications are often needed to break the parasite life cycle. Follow the product’s suggested reapplication schedule. Combining sprays with thorough coop cleaning and sanitizing is most effective.
5 Best Mite and Lice Sprays for Birds
Here are 5 top-rated, veterinarian-recommended mite and lice sprays suitable and safe for backyard chickens, ducks, turkeys, and pet birds when used as directed:
1. Vet’s Best Poultry Spray
Vet’s Best Poultry Spray contains natural pyrethrins to kill mites, lice, and fleas on contact. This veterinarian-formulated product is made in the USA. It controls common external parasites plaguing backyard flocks. The spray is gentle enough to use directly on chickens, ducks, and turkeys over 4 weeks old. It can also be sprayed onto housing, roosts, nests, and coops. Customers report this spray eliminates mite and lice problems quickly. It receives positive reviews for being effective yet safe when used as directed.
Key Features
- Made in the USA
- Veterinarian-formulated pyrethrins insecticide spray
- Kills mites, lice, fleas, and ticks on chickens, ducks, turkeys
- Can be sprayed directly onto birds over 4 weeks old
- Also treats coops, nests, roosts, and housing
- Easy-to-use trigger sprayer
- USDA National Organic Program compliant
2. VetRX Poultry Care
VetRX Poultry Care is a natural pyrethrum spray that controls northern fowl mites, lice, fleas, and other external parasites in backyard chicken and turkey flocks. It contains soothing aloe vera, lanolin, and other natural oils to condition skin and feathers. This product is safe to apply directly to birds of all ages when used as directed. It can also be used on nesting areas and housing. Many customers report it quickly clears up stubborn mite and lice issues. They like that it conditions the birds’ skin during treatment.
Key Features
- Pyrethrum-based spray kills mites, lice, fleas
- Made in the USA
- Contains aloe vera, lanolin, natural oils
- Soothes skin and conditions feathers
- Safe for use on all ages of poultry
- Can treat coops, roosts, nest boxes
3. Permectrin II Premise Spray
Permectrin II is a concentrated insecticide containing 10% permethrin. Diluted, it can be used as an effective lice, mite, and flea spray for poultry housing, roosts, nests, and other areas birds inhabit. This cost-effective product goes a long way when mixed as directed. It provides long-lasting residual control for up to 4 weeks. Permectrin II should not be applied directly onto birds. But customers report it clears up lice and mite infestations when used properly in the environment. It’s an affordable commercial-grade product for serious mite and lice issues.
Key Features
- 10% permethrin insecticide
- Kills mites, lice, fleas in poultry housing
- Provides residual control for up to 4 weeks
- Concentrated and cost-effective
- Cannot be used directly on birds
- For commercial use, follow label
4. Elector PSP Poultry Spray
Elector PSP is a commercial-grade poultry spray containing the insecticides spinosad and permethrin. This combination offers rapid knockdown and long-lasting residual control of lice, mites, fowl tick, and fleas in backyard flocks. It can be sprayed directly onto chickens 4 weeks and older. Elector PSP also treats housing, nests, roosts, and other areas where pests may lurk. It is a restricted use pesticide available to commercial applicators. When applied properly, this powerful spray gets rid of severe pest infestations.
Key Features
- Spinosad and permethrin insecticide combo
- For professional use
- Kills and controls common poultry pests
- Can be applied to chickens over 4 weeks old
- Also treats poultry housing, nests, roost areas
- Provides residual control up to 6 weeks
5. Martin’s Permethrin SFR
Martin’s Permethrin SFR is a versatile pesticide that controls over 100 agriculture pests. The 36% permethrin formulation is designed to be diluted with water for cost-effective treatment of large areas. It can eliminate mites, lice, fleas, and ticks in poultry housing at recommended dilution rates. As a restricted use product, it is intended for commercial applications. Routine treatment can help deter future infestations. It should not be applied directly onto birds. Properly diluted and applied, Martin’s Permethrin is a strong permethrin option for severe pest problems.
Key Features
- 36% permethrin
- For professional/commercial use
- Highly concentrated and cost-effective
- Kills mites, lice, fleas, over 100 pests
- Treats poultry houses, coops, nests
- Cannot apply directly on birds
How to Choose the Best Spray
When choosing a mite and lice spray for your flock, consider the following:
- Purpose – Do you need to spray birds directly or just their environment?
- Safety – Only use sprays approved and intended for your type of birds.
- Prevention vs treatment – Some sprays deter pests while others kill on contact.
- Convenience – Ready-to-use sprays are easier than concentrates requiring mixing.
- Cost – Less concentrated sprays may need more frequent applications.
- Severity – Stronger commercial sprays may be warranted for heavy infestations.
- Organic – Some sprays meet USDA organic standards if this is a concern.
Discuss your situation with a veterinarian to choose the right product for your needs. Never use dog, livestock, or crop insecticides on birds. Read labels carefully and follow all directions.
Using Mite and Lice Sprays Safely and Effectively
Certain precautions are necessary when using chemical sprays around birds:
- Avoid eyes, nostrils, beak, mouth
- Don’t overuse sprays or exceed label rates
- Follow all label instructions carefully
- Keep birds out of treated areas until dry
- Wear gloves and protective clothing
- Ventilate treated coops well before allowing bird re-entry
- Clean and sanitize housing between applications
- Rotate pesticides with different modes of action
- Dispose of unused product properly
Combining sprays with an integrated pest management (IPM) approach is most effective. IPM employs multiple tactics like sanitation, hygiene, isolation of new birds, and routine monitoring. Continue spraying at the recommended intervals to break parasite life cycles until the infestation resolves.
Tips for Preventing Mites and Lice in Backyard Flocks
Good management practices can help avoid mite and lice infestations in backyard poultry:
- Quarantine and monitor new birds before adding to flock
- Isolate and treat any infested birds immediately
- Practice strict biosecurity measures
- Provide adequate housing space per bird
- Use clean, dry bedding and replace often
- Clean and disinfect housing between flocks
- Remove wild bird nests/roosts near coops
- Provide proper nutrition to strengthen bird immunity
- Control dust, moisture and ammonia in coops
- Groom and check birds regularly for parasites
- Treat birds preventively 1-2 times per year
Catching infestations early and maintaining cleanliness makes a big difference in flock health. Be vigilant and act quickly at the first sign of mites or lice before they multiply out of control.
Conclusion
Mites and lice are common pests that can make backyard poultry miserable. An effective acaricide/insecticide spray provides relief and protects flock health. The best sprays kill mites and lice on contact while safeguarding birds and people when used properly. Rotate treatments to prevent resistance. Combine spraying with biosecurity measures, good sanitation, and monitoring to break the pest cycle. Paying attention to bird health helps backyard flock owners enjoy pest-free, productive chickens, ducks, and turkeys.