Duck Mite Infestation: 5 Legitimate Reasons Why Ducks Get It!

Poultry livestock like ducks can often suffer from parasites like mites. Mites are tiny spider-like creatures that live on the skin and feathers of ducks. An infestation can cause considerable irritation, discomfort, and even illness. Thankfully, there are proper treatments and prevention.

But What are the causes of Duck Mites? Initially, a damp environment, improper cleaning, and stress can cause mite infestations. Overcrowding can also influence mite infestations.

However, summer is their favorite season for reproduction. If you want all the details about that and what you should or shouldn’t do, give the article a good read.

Discovering 4 Common Duck Mites (Including How They Make Ducks Suffer)

Mites are small parasites ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 mm in size. They are arachnids like spiders, with eight legs and round bodies.

The most common types of mites that infest ducks are as follows.

1. Red Mites

The most common external parasite in ducks is the red mite. These tiny reddish bugs nest in the nooks and crannies of the coop or runway. 

However, external parasites like red mites usually can’t get ducks easily. Watch this video and learn what they say about red mites in ducks:

They pierce the skin for a blood meal, causing irritation, itching, and discomfort.

Red mites are tiny, flat, oval insects about 1 mm long. They quickly multiply into large populations when uncontrolled. Careful visual inspection around roosts and nest boxes will reveal them, especially at night when they emerge to feed.

Here’s a visual of their lifecycle

2. Northern Fowl Mites

In contrast to red mites, northern fowl mites live on the duck itself instead of the habitat. These mites have a round, compact shape and stay on the host 24/7 to feed.

They reproduce rapidly, completing a life cycle in about seven days. A heavy infestation completely covers a duck’s skin like moving grains of black pepper.

Please have a look at their lifecycle.

Northern fowl mites cause severe itching, irritation, feather loss, and reduced egg production. Anemia can occur from constant blood feeding. Close physical examination of the bird will reveal these mites crawling on the skin and at feather bases.

3. Scaly Leg Mites

As the name suggests, scaly leg mites attack the legs and feet of ducks. They burrow under the scales and cause a characteristic thickening and crusting of the skin. 

Scaly leg mites have comparatively a longer lifespan, about 14 days. 

The legs become encrusted with debris and dead mites over time. Scaly leg mites irritate the duck, making it reluctant to walk or stand. In severe cases, bone deformation and lameness can result. Telltale signs are thick, scaly crusts on the legs and feet.

4. Air Sac Mites

Lastly, air sac mites are tiny mites that invade a duck’s respiratory tract. They irritate the air sacs and lungs, causing labored breathing, coughing, and mucus production.

Infected ducks may show signs similar to aspergillosis – discharge from the eyes and nostrils, wheezing, and lethargy. Air sac mites are difficult to eradicate, and treatment requires injectable antiparasitics.

Good husbandry and nutrition support a duck’s immunity against mites.

However, you may ask, how do ducks come in contact with Mites?

Mites spread easily among ducks through direct contact. An infestation often starts with just a few mites that rapidly multiply into large populations.

They can cause irritation, lesions, decreased egg production, anemia, and impaired growth. Heavy mite populations can even kill ducks if left untreated.

Related Reads:

• Can Ducks Get Ticks
• Do Ducks Fet Fleas

How to Recognize Duck Mite Infestation?

Check carefully around the vent, under the wings, and the soft skin around the eyes and beak. Part feathers to inspect the skin underneath.

Look for movement – mites can crawl quickly once exposed. Watch for these signs that may indicate the presence of mites:

• Minor red bugs on the duck’s skin, feathers, legs, or beak. Visible to the naked eye.
• Excessive preening, feather plucking. Ducks try to relieve itchy skin.
• Restlessness, head shaking, loss of appetite. Discomfort from constant biting.
• Pale combs and wattles. Anemia from blood-feeding mites.
• Scabby, crusty areas on the skin. Dermatitis from mite bites.
• Scaly, crusty legs and feet. Burrowing mites under scales.
• Coughing, wheezing, lethargy. Respiratory distress from air sac mites.

Capture some on transparent tape and view them with a magnifying glass to identify them. If in doubt, seek veterinary advice.

6 Reasons Why Ducks Get Mite Infestations

I have discovered several factors that can contribute to ducks acquiring mites. Primarily, these 6 reasons might be the culprit for mite infestation in ducks. 

1. New Ducks: Bringing in new ducks from unknown sources. Mites can hitchhike on their bodies. Always quarantine and treat new ducks before introducing them.
2. Wild Birds: Ducks allowed to mingle with wild waterfowl can pick up mites this way. Limit contact with wild birds.
3. Insufficient Cleaning: Coops, nest boxes, and bedding are not cleaned frequently enough. Mites thrive in accumulated litter and debris.
4. Damp Conditions: Wet, muddy runs and marshy areas. Moisture allows mites to flourish. Provide clean, dry housing.
5. Overcrowding: Too high a density of ducks in coops and runs forces close contact and mite transmission.
6. Warm Weather: Mites reproduce faster in summer’s warmth and humidity. Monitor closely during this time.

Duck keepers can prevent or limit mite infestations with vigilance and proper precautions. But prompt treatment is key if they do occur.

How To Treat Duck Mites Infestation

Several effective options exist for treating a mite problem. Treating infestation before it becomes severe is crucial.

Be aware that most treatments involve handling or restraining ducks, which is stressful to them. Work calmly and gently.

Let’s consider the DIY in two segments. The first one is using chemicals; the other is a natural cure application.

Using Chemicals

Two chemicals are common in this scenario. These are as follows:

• Ivermectin: This is a medication that vets use to fight parasites. It can be given to ducks by mouth or through a shot. They take it once and then again after about ten days to ensure it works well. It’s like a strong bug-killer for the ducks.
• Pyrethrins: These are natural compounds that are great for killing bugs. You can use them in different forms like sprays, powders, or even in shampoos for ducks. The cool thing is that these are safe to use on ducks. It will help ducks to get rid of those pesky bugs without causing harm!

Natural Treatment (DIY)

It’s not prescribed. But, experienced duck owners often suggest using coconut oil and some other things that might help them to get rid of mites. Let’s get into them all.

• Coconut Oil: This stuff suffocates the bugs when you put it on the ducks. Just make sure to avoid their eyes and nose.
• Diatomaceous Earth: It’s like a special kind of dust that you can sprinkle in the places where your ducks hang out. This dust dries out the bugs and makes life hard for them. Remember to wear a mask when you’re putting it down to protect yourself.

Overall Advice:

1. Treat ducks, coops, and runs concurrently for best results.
2. Isolate and treat any visibly infected ducks.
3. Continue monitoring for two weeks after treatment to ensure your ducks are out of infestation.
4. Call a vet if self-treatment fails.

Recommended Reading: Different Parasites In Ducks

10 Tips to Prevent Duck Mites Infestations

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure for external parasites. So, following measures to prevent mite infestation is, all in all, much better than fighting with those.

Here are proactive measures duck owners can take to deter mites:

1. Quarantine new ducks for 3-4 weeks before mixing with the flock. Treat as needed.
2. Disinfect housing between cycles. Use vinegar, lemon juice, or boiling water.
3. Remove bedding or litter frequently. Doing it on a weekly basis sounds sensible.
4. Keep the habitat clean and dry. Avoid muddy, damp conditions.
5. Dust bathing area weekly with diatomaceous earth or wood ash.
6. Check ducks weekly. 
7. Reduce crowding or density. Allow minimum space per duck.
8. Discourage contact with wild waterfowl, as I said earlier. Fence ponds, if possible.
9. Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth and herbal powders during molting.
10. Feed balanced diet mineral supplements. It reduces stress or maximizes immunity.

Summary of the Study

Duck mites can certainly be an unpleasant nuisance. But with proper understanding and management, they can’t make an overwhelming problem. Identifying the common mite species and the conditions that allow them to thrive helps duck owners stay alert.

Don’t be late after judging the symptoms, such as itching, irritation, excessive preening, and feather plucking. Apply DIY solutions that won’t harm them, but try to give a quick remedy. Effective treatment options, whether natural remedies or medications enable rapid eradication of mites if they do occur.

Sources and References:

• https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/ectoparasites/mites-of-poultry