Nesting Carolina Chickadee with scaly leg mites. Can I help?

Noticed a Carolina Chickadee that is building a nest in a birdhouse in my yard has scaly leg mites. I am concerned for the nest and baby birds if infested with mites. Is there anything I can do to help?

  • Hi arose, as this is a uk based web forum, you may get more pertinent advice from somewhere more local to you

  • are leg mites not a thing in UK birds? I don't think the species of bird matters as much. 

  • The answer is not really - the remedy in poultry keepers is direct care - so the affected bird is treated by greasing the legs with various different ointments to suffocate the mites and general animal husbandry to exclude wild birds and rodents from the hens area and scrubbing with disinfectant, if your little chickadee is already nesting it's too late to disinfect the birdhouse.  the mites are more irritating than life limiting 

    Cin J

  • thank you! that's helpful info. 

  • sorry, I just meant re animal welfare vets/sanctuaries/charities that could possibly help or specific brands for treatment