Harvest mites

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poiuytrewq

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I'm not able to find out much online about harvest mites and horses so wondered if anyone here can answer a few questions?

My horses only seem to have them on their heads, Its a very mild infestation and they dont bother them- as in they are not itching or rubbing. I wondered if i got a regular mite spray and applied to their faces with a cloth?

Where have they come from?!! The first horse I noticed them on had a new straw bed, however the others are either living out (away from the first two) or on shavings. I've read long grass (More in relation to cats and dogs getting them) but long grass would be a fine thing! we have none. My fields are pretty bare after the lack of water this summer.
Did they come from the new straw? .... But then that wouldnt explain how the chap living out has/had them.

Their fields are surrounded by crops and they were around when the combines were- could they have been caught airborne (the combine's kick out a fair cloud of dust- maybe mites too?)

I know of the injection but as far as i can make out this is more aimed at feather mites in cobbier types. Mine are not hairy and really as above not that bothered by them anyway. I imagine it would cost me a fortune to get them all treated so would like a topical treatment.
Will they just go on their own accord as harvest is almost over?
I have spoken to a vet who said insecticidal shampoo but wondered if anyone could recommend or has any advice please?
 
a friend has had trouble with them in her dogs this summer-she's used a spot on and some neem shampoo. anything volatile (essential oil based-neem, rosemary etc) will kill the mites but not give much protection. I'd use frontline spray and some neem shampoo personally.
 
Long grass is the most common way to get them I think. Deosect can work so I'd try a patch test on a tiny bit of their face to check if they can tolerate it. If this is the first time you've had them then the dectomax injection should be effective too. There are certain shampoos that work as well as then sulfuring the legs/face. I'll try and remember which products we used to use - one was a shampoo designed for dogs I think.

Forgot to say that frontline spray is good too - you can buy enormous pots of it from the vets - just pretend it's for a dog.


(Can you tell we get them most years?)
 
The shop only had regular insecticidal shampoo so I’ve got some of that. They had several powders for feather mites but I asked about using it on faces and they said best not so I left that for now.
Apercrumbie, is it only the face effected do you know? Will I need to do the two apparently clear horses here as well?
 
I thought the pics really interesting!

Re deosect I have used it to keep on top of things after a dectomax injection (at vets suggestion) and it does seem to help a bit so I suspect it has some activity.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Apercrumbie, is it only the face effected do you know? Will I need to do the two apparently clear horses here as well?
Click to expand...

They normally get them on their legs too as they tend to rub their face on their fetlocks while itching so I would be cautious and treat legs too. I'll be really honest and say that a bog-standard insecticidal shampoo won't do much if they're anything like our harvest mites.
 
Right I've remembered - if things get bad, we use Virbac shampoo (active ingredient benzoyl peroxide) followed by lime sulphur (I think by dermapet) without rinsing. Once a week for four weeks - usually clears it up.
 
Frontline spray got rid of them for us when the spaniel got them. I thought he'd got them from the exposed soil in the garden at the time... so maybe your lack of grass is a factor?

Dunno. Nasty little things though, hope you are mite-free soon.
 
Ok, thanks. Is this a problem that’s ongoing or are harvest mites only around during harvest time?! 😳 - apologies if that’s a dumb question.
I think I may have had it last summer in hindsight. Horse has a reaction and came out in hives which then became scabby. We put it down to a skin infection and he had a course of antibiotics and topical lotion stuff (cant recall the name) but I do now wonder if he had it then.
 
Im wondering if this is what is causing my dog to itch. He has never been an itchy dog but every year about now he starts scratching like mad. I front line him and have sprayed the house before but it doesn't stop. He is not a dog that runs about in the undergrowth though, he prefers to stick to a proper path !
 
My pony gets some funny little scabs on his heels every July/Aug time and I've always put it down to harvest mites. He finds them very itchy so I just clean them up and put on some sudocreme.
 
Not wanting to speak too soon but I sprayed old retired’s star with Avon skin so soft which I often use on him for itchy midgey bits and to my surprise this morning he appeared mite free. I’ve sprayed some on a cloth and wiped it over the others just incase.
It might make sense with some of your replies mentioning oil and benzyl benzoate which I believe is in Avon sss?
Probably wishful thinking but watch this space 🤞
 
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