How can the negative consequences of lice in livestock farming be reduced?

The red mite, a scourge for the egg industry

Dermanyssus gallinae, also known as the red mite, is well known to French and European poultry farmers (breeders, future laying hens, caged or free-range laying hens).
The red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) is estimated to cause €130 million in losses annually to the European livestock industry (George et al., 2009). According to ITAVI, more than 70% of farms in France are infested with this mite (RIPPOC, 2013).

Red mites are a particular scourge for laying hen farms due to their particularly long production cycle (between 47 and 55 weeks). Conventional chemical treatments during the production cycle are increasingly regulated by European directives. Some control methods are becoming less effective over time (particularly chemical treatments).
In addition, the mite has a high mutation rate, which allows it to adapt to its environment and explains the phenomenon of resistance to chemical products.

Alternative solutions such as Acariflash-Acaritec have a place in an integrated control plan.

The mite’s lifestyle and physiology enable it to resist the main current control methods:

• Their short life cycle promotes adaptation and the development of resistance to treatment products.
• When conditions become hostile (empty buildings, low temperatures, drought, etc.), lice can go dormant for up to nine months.
• Lice are gregarious; when infestation is severe, they gather in clusters or groups to protect themselves from treatment. These are only effective on lice present on the surface of the clusters.
• Lice avoid light and hide in hard-to-reach places.
• They can survive immersion (they can withstand more than 35 hours of total immersion under water).

Key facts about the biological cycle of red lice

• Only females that feed on blood lay fertile eggs.
• Females lay 7-8 eggs per day
• Females can lay up to 8 times in their lifetime
• Lice bite a maximum of 10 times in their lifetime

In addition to being difficult to remove, red lice have a very rapid ‘egg-to-adult’ development cycle, taking 1 to 2 weeks in ideal conditions.

Effects of lice on hens

• Nervousness, pecking
• Weakness: anaemia, reduced immunity
• Reduced egg production: 2 to 15% in cages and 3 to 15% on the ground
• Reduction in egg size
• Egg downgrading (blood spots): up to 5%
• Transmission of diseases: salmonella, E. coli
• Skin irritation

Effect of red mite infestation on mortality, egg production and egg viability.

• Combination of actions to reduce the negative effects of red mites
• Field trial: improved egg production with Delta® Acariflash
• Delta® Acariflash trial in a flock of 6,000 laying hens (39 weeks old) heavily infested with red mites (CCPA Group, 2008)

Read testimonials from farmers

Delta® Acariflash reduces the negative consequences of lice over time
The action of Delta® Acariflash is visible within a week: the hens are less nervous and there is less pecking. The laying rate improves. Delta® Acariflash remains active in the henhouse after application.

Hygiene in livestock buildings must not be overlooked

Eliminate most of the lice during the sanitary break:
Complete N & D of the building: dust removal (immediate destruction of dust by incineration), detergent, high-pressure cleaning. Control environmental parameters (temperature, humidity). Remove dust during the laying cycle. Regularly inspect critical areas so that early action can be taken.