RED MITE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1933, Page 12

RED MITE

So often one finds that red .mite are' tho cause- of trouble in . the poultry houso that a repetition of methods of prevention and euro is required. Remember that theso small insects, which are grey in colour, until filled with blood, live in cracks and corners of tho buildings, usually near the nests, and never'stayfor long on the.birds. They sleep during tho daytime, but at night crawl along tho perches to tho birds and" suck their blood.' They breed very rapidly, and ' unless quickly destroyed will causo no end of trouble' If you will keep a sharp watch out for any signs of their dried'skins, which appear, like.'grey dust over tho cracks,you Will be able to locate them. Quite the best cure "and preventativo is the freo useof creosote. ' This creosote' is a byproduct from the making of gas, and can be procured from any gasworks at about sixpenco per gallon. More refined samples aro sold under other titles, and may be more effective Use a paint brush and thoroughly paint all tho woodwork near the perches and nests. Keep doing this until every mite is disposed of. Of course the litter and dust must all be removed. Unless all the cracks are well soaked, they will soon appear again.