14 



quently examined poultry houses, after being told that the flock was 

 absolutely free from all insect pests, and discovered myriads of red mites 

 merely by lifting a roost or nest box. At this the farmer would express 

 the utmost surprise. Without doubt these mites are responsible for a 

 large proportion of prevalent disease. The birds are thereby reduced to 

 a condition which leaves them an easy prey to disease germs. Further- 

 more, such conditions render the fowl utterly useless as layers of winter 

 eggs. This undoubtedly is the explanation of many flocks failing to lay, 

 even where special efforts are made to obtain eggs during the winter 

 season. 



In a recent bulletin (1911) published by the Maine Agricultural Ex- 

 periment Station, and edited by Messrs. Pearl, Surface, and Curtis, there 

 is given some excellent advice upon methods of prevention and treat- 

 ment for red mites. It reads as follows : — " Clean, dry, well ventilated 

 houses which get plenty of sunlight, are seldom badly infested. The first 

 step in eradicating or controlling the pest is thoroughly to clean the houses. 

 Remove the droppings and all the old nesting material. Clean, and, when 

 possible, scrub or wash with a stream from the hose, all the perches, 

 nests, floors and walls, with a mixture composed of three parts kerosene 

 and one part crude carbolic acid. Work the mixture into all cracks, 

 crevices and joints of the building. 



" With this spray it is necessary to make two or more applications 

 at intervals of a few days to destroy the mites which hatch after the first 

 application. The liquid may be put on with a hand spray pump or with a 

 brush. Cleanliness, fresh air, and sunlight are cheap and effective pre- 

 ventatives." 



Another spray successfully used, and which is less expensive is kero- 

 sene emulsion. This is made up of kerosene (coal oil), 2 gallons; rain 

 water, i gallon; soap, 14 lb. Dissolve the soap in water by slicing and 

 boiling; take from fire, and while hot pour in kerosene and chum vigor- 

 ously for five minutes. For use dilute with nine parts of water so that 

 the above three gallons of stock emulsion will make thirty gallons of the 

 spray mixture. 



According to the following table the examination of poultry houses 

 on 448 Ontario County farms revealed the fact that 75 per cent, of them 

 were more or less seriously infested. 



Table No. 7.— Showing Prevalence oe Red Mites. 



