A novel technique for deployment of sulfur dust for ectoparasite control in poultry

Animal welfare-driven legislation in California and other states is changing how chickens for egg production are housed, thus creating challenges for ectoparasite control. In the past high pressure pesticide sprays were directed underneath the birds in order to treat the areas occupied by parasites. These types of pesticide sprays are not effective or practical in alternative housing types, such as furnished cages or cage-free production. Dustboxes filled with desiccant dusts, like diatomaceous earth, have proven to be a promising parasite control tactic in cage-free systems, but alternative controls are still needed in furnished or enriched cage systems. In this study we tested the efficacy of sulfur dust deployed in “dust bags” in cages for control against the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum. This mite feeds on hen blood causing stress, anemia, and decreased egg production and feed conversion efficiency. We also tested pyrethrin-impregnated plastic strips that are marketed for use in caged or cage-free commercial and backyard flocks. Previous studies have shown sulfur to be incredibly active against this mite species, however our data indicate that the placement of dust bags is important for swift and complete control of mites. Pyrethrin strips had no effect on mite populations, probably due to mite resistance.