Acari®: a global and sustainable approach to control red mites risk
The red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is now one of the main pests affecting laying hen farms. Its ability to multiply rapidly and survive for several months without feeding on blood has major economic consequences for farmers: reduced egg production, stress, graded-out eggs and increased mortality. In Europe, the annual cost associated with infestations is estimated at several hundred million euros.
In light of this challenge, European regulations strictly govern the use of biocides and limit the number of active substances available. This forces farmers to rethink their pest control strategies and to prioritise integrated, sustainable approaches that respect both animal welfare and the environment.
Why combine chemical treatments with natural solutions?
The most effective and sustainable strategy today is to combine a one-off chemical treatment – which rapidly reduces mite pressure – with an ongoing programme such as the Acari® programme. The latter relies in particular on Acariflash®, which is based on essential oils such as thyme, and on the physical barrier provided by Acaritec®, a mixture of amorphous silica and bicarbonate. This combination enables:
- Long-term control of the red mite population,
- Extended intervals between costly chemical treatments,
- Reduced risk of resistance developing,
- Better compliance with European requirements regarding the responsible use of biocides.
The result is double: economic and sustainable. By stabilising the level of infestation, the use of chemicals is limited to when it is truly necessary, thereby reducing costs and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the protocol.
Acaritec is a UAB product and Acariflash is also available in a UAB version.
The program is tailored, measurable and scalable
Regular monitoring using red mite traps allows the control strategy to be tailored precisely to four levels of infestation. The Acari® app provides additional support by guiding farmers in adjusting dosages, anticipating peaks in infestation and planning their programme.
The impact of red mites on the welfare and health of hens
Acari®: supporting poultry farmers in the sustainable management of their flocks
Deltavit offers the Acari® approach to managing red mites in poultry farming: a range of nutritional products for poultry and a solution for the rearing environment. The Acari® product range is designed to be as versatile as possible and to be as easy to use as possible:
- Acariflash® can be used in drinking water or added to feed
- Acaritec can be applied by dusting, dry spraying or spraying in the crawl space or in the presence of the hens (no withdrawal period)
- The products are available in versions suitable for use in organic farming (UAB)
«Our aim is to enable farmers to balance economic viability with their commitment to reducing the use of chemical treatments. The Acari® approach, which helps control the lice population, can help streamline or reduce the frequency of use of such solutions, which are often expensive. It also helps maintain the effectiveness of these solutions by limiting the development of resistance.»
Real-time monitoring on the farm using the Acari®tool digital tool
The use of lice traps makes it possible to monitor changes in the lice population. Based on the monthly counts recorded using these traps, Deltavit offers the Acari®tool digital farm monitoring solution, which enables:
- Visualising trends in the lice population
- Adapting the Acari® programme to ensure optimal effectiveness and cost-efficiency
- Assessing product requirements
A compliant, secure and high-performance solution
By incorporating solutions that are non-toxic, non-persistent and compatible with organic farming, the Acari® programme is perfectly aligned with European objectives: reducing the use of biocides, limiting the development of resistance and improving animal welfare.
The judicious combination of occasional chemical treatment with the natural Acari® programme is now the most effective, economical and sustainable approach to controlling red mites. It enables infestations to be controlled, prevents the development of resistance and fully meets European regulatory requirements.