SCORPIONS, SPIDERS, MITES AND TICKS 215 



The common chicken-mites, Dermanyssus gallina, are about 

 i mm. long, light gray or whitish in color, but becoming quite 

 red when full fed. They hide away in any crack or corner 

 where they can find shelter during the day, and come out at 

 night to feed. When numerous they may be serious pests to 

 other animals as well as chickens. Cleanliness will prevent 

 infection. A thorough spraying with kerosene or strong 

 kerosene emulsion will kill all that are reached by the oil. 

 Whitewash helps some. A poorly constructed, badly infected 

 house should be burned. Smooth roosts supended on wires or 

 small iron rods afford few hiding places for the mites. 



