Housing order causes surge in red mite

The housing order introduced to try to prevent the spread of avian influenza has resulted in a surge in the numbers of red mite in layer flocks.

St David's Poultry Team, a poultry veterinary specialist based in Devon but with offices around the country, says the red mite population has "exploded" since the housing order was introduced across the United Kingdom in early December. The Government has now lifted the housing order across most of the United Kingdom, although farmers are still required to house their birds in designated higher risk areas. However, vets have seen increased incidence of red mite infestation on layer units.