Traps containing acaricides for the control of Dermanyssus gallinae

In Sweden, the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, is the only haematophagous mite of poultry. After obtaining a blood meal the parasite spends most of its life off the host aggregated in cracks and crevices where mating and reproduction occur. Cardboard traps (1000 mm x 40 mm x 3 mm; 160 mm x 140 mm x 3 mm and 100 mm x 70 mm x 3 mm) containing 2% metriphonate were placed where mites gathered, out of reach of the hens, in two different types of multi-tiered floor systems for layers. In two separate trials, treated traps were replaced every second day for 2 weeks and every week for 8 weeks. In the 2-week trial the whole floor system was treated while in the 8-week trial six of 12 existing compartments studied were treated. The untreated compartments were used as controls. Throughout the study, the parasite populations were monitored by collections of mites with untreated cardboard traps (100 mm x 70 mm x 3 mm). A 95% reduction of mites was recorded in the 8-week trial whereas a 99% reduction of mites was recorded in the 2-week trial. The placement of treated traps near mite aggregation sites was essential for satisfactory control.