These tiny bugs are everywhere! What are they?

[whitneywpanetta]

These bugs seemed to pop up overnight, my hub noticed them over the weekend. What are they and how do we get rid of them? We have dealt with chicken lice before on the birds, but having them ALL OVER the run is new. Help!

 

[sunflour]

Are you sure those are lice?? I doubt lice would be anywhere except on the host.

They could be termites.

IMO consult a pest expert to identify them and get advice on extermination.

 

[centrarchid]

They appear to be true bugs. Do they have wings?

 

[whitneywpanetta]

I didn't notice any wings, but they might still be babies. I was wondering about termites as well, but I don't think they look like termites. Since we noticed them first all over the wood on the run I just assumed they were chicken pest related, but maybe they aren't. I believe mites are more brown, these are white and some almost look like a light green. I will see if I can get some closer in pictures to post.

What do you guys do for insect control?

 

[centrarchid]

Not termites. Neither workers nore elites / reproductive's. Better picture needed. We need to be a little wiser about pesticide use, especially when we do not have ID correct or handle on whether organism is an actual pest.

 

[whitneywpanetta]

Not termites. Neither workers nore elites / reproductive's. Better picture needed. We need to be a little wiser about pesticide use, especially when we do not have ID correct or handle on whether organism is an actual pest.

Thanks for the feedback! Here are some closer up pictures I took today. The one in the shadow is more white, the ones in the sun looked more greenish. I will try to get more pictures tomorrow if these aren't any more help.

We try to keep the coop, run, etc. as clean as possible and try to avoid using any chemicals if possible. We do also want to nip it in the bud as well, once we figure out what we are dealing with.

 

[junebuggena]

Thanks for the feedback! Here are some closer up pictures I took today. The one in the shadow is more white, the ones in the sun looked more greenish. I will try to get more pictures tomorrow if these aren't any more help.

We try to keep the coop, run, etc. as clean as possible and try to avoid using any chemicals if possible. We do also want to nip it in the bud as well, once we figure out what we are dealing with.

First pic looks like a wood lice. Second looks kind of like an aphid. Not a danger to chickens in either case.

 

[centrarchid]

First pic almost like an exuvium.

 

[azygous]

If those bugs were a threat to your chickens, they would be either in residence on your birds or in residence deep in the cracks and crevices of your coop.

I learned the hard way about using insecticides around chickens. It's a big NO to use regular insecticides anywhere where your chickens are roaming. Some pesticide treatments to rid chickens of lice and mites are also safe to use to treat your premises. Permethrin is one of them, and I can't say enough good things about Elector PSP which is a biological control and non-toxic to treat both chickens and premises.

But you are overlooking the best biological and safe premise insect control there is, and it's free, safe, convenient, and you don't even need to go anywhere to obtain it. Chickens! Turn your flock loose, and watch those bugs get eliminated pronto!

 

[sunflour]

If those bugs were a threat to your chickens, they would be either in residence on your birds or in residence deep in the cracks and crevices of your coop.

I learned the hard way about using insecticides around chickens. It's a big NO to use regular insecticides anywhere where your chickens are roaming. Some pesticide treatments to rid chickens of lice and mites are also safe to use to treat your premises. Permethrin is one of them, and I can't say enough good things about Elector PSP which is a biological control and non-toxic to treat both chickens and premises.

But you are overlooking the best biological and safe premise insect control there is, and it's free, safe, convenient, and you don't even need to go anywhere to obtain it. Chickens! Turn your flock loose, and watch those bugs get eliminated pronto!