36 



and eliminated it as a possible transmittor of St. Louis encephalitis 

 (Chamberlain et al., 1957; Chamberiain, 1368). 



The northern fowl mite has also been accused of transmitting fowl 

 pox (Brody, 1936), Newcastle virus (Hofstad, 19^9), Lanksstevella aorvi, 

 a blood parasite of rooks (Baker et al., 1959), a Bedsonia species of 

 Ornithosis virus (Meyer and Eddie, I960), and a mi crotatobiote , order of 

 Rickettsiales , of the family Bartonel laceae (Mettler, 1969). Proof of 

 transmission could not be demonstrated for any of the organisms iisted 

 above . 

 Control of Northern Fowl Mites 



Chemical control has been the method of choice for controlling 

 northern fowl mites primarily because it is the only method available. 

 No parasites or predators of the northern fowl mite are known at this 

 time. Since the mites complete their entire life cycle on the host, 

 biocontrol agents may not exist. 



Many books are available that list various northern fowl mite con- 

 trols (Hartman, 1953; Benbrook, 1965; Anonymous, 1967; Loomis, 1973). 

 Benbrook (1965) gives the most comprehensive list of controls prior to 

 1 9^+0 , some of which include dust baths containing road dust and wood 

 ashes, ointments and powders containing mercury compounds, caraway oil 

 and derris (rotenone), and fumigants such as SO- and HCN. 



Some classes of compounds cannot be used around poultry due to 

 their toxicity or their tendency to form residues in meat and eggs. 

 Chlorinated hydrocarbons have been removed from use en or around poultry 

 due to their formation of residues. Nicotine SO^ should be used with 

 caution since it can be toxic to birds and man. Many organophosphorus 



