THE POULTRY MITE 



337 



and legs of our common fowls. These parts become scaly on the 

 surface (Fig. 341). The scales can be rubbed off, disclosing an 

 unnatural brownish color when on the comb, entirely unlike the 

 healthful red color we would expect to see. Figure 342 shows 

 fairly well the appearance of the legs of poultry suffering from the 

 attacks of this parasite. The legs look whitish, and the fowls, 

 irritated no doubt by the itching, pick at them. One infested 

 fowl obviously can easily spread the trouble to other fowls which 

 occupy the same yard or roost. 



Control. Naturally the various dips which are used to kill 

 other mites and lice would be efficacious here. One mixture rec- 

 ommended is four tablespoonfuls of zenoleum in one gallon of 



FIG. 339. Itch-mile of the dog, male. 

 Much enlarged. (After Neuman.) 



FIG. 340. Mite causing foot-mange in 

 horse. Greatly enlarged. (After Neuman.) 



water. Hold the legs in this two or three minutes. Do not scrape 

 the scabs when dry. Afterward rub the legs with some sweet oil 

 or lard a few times. A five per cent solution of creolin is also 

 claimed to be effective in such cases. 



The Poultry Mite. This grayish mite, which becomes red 

 after a meal of blood, is familiar to almost all who keep poultry. 

 This mite and the biting lice found on fowls are often grouped 

 under the head of "lice." Mites are not true insects, as they 

 have eight legs in the adult stage. The mites thrive best in damp, 

 uncared-for poultry houses. 



Control. Cleanliness, sunlight, and fresh air are among the 

 best preventive measures. Roosts should be removable, since 

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