Feather Mites & Lice in Pigeons: Prevention, Treatment & Care

Feather Mites & Lice in Pigeons: Prevention, Treatment & Care

Pigeon fanciers know that healthy feathers mean better performance, stronger immunity, and an overall happier bird. But what happens when feather mites and lice invade your loft? These tiny parasites can weaken pigeons, cause discomfort, and impact racing performance if left untreated.

In this guide, we’ll cover:
✔ How to identify feather mites and lice in pigeons
✔ Effective prevention strategies
✔ Treatment options, from natural remedies to medications
✔ How to maintain a pest-free loft

Let’s dive in!

Understanding Feather Mites & Lice in Pigeons

Feather mites and lice are common external parasites that live on pigeons’ skin and feathers, feeding on blood, skin debris, or feather keratin. A minor infestation may go unnoticed, but a severe one can lead to feather damage, irritation, weight loss, and even secondary infections.

Types of External Parasites Affecting Pigeons

🔹 Feather Mites – Tiny, microscopic pests that burrow into feathers, damaging the structure and causing excessive preening.
🔹 Pigeon Lice – Small, fast-moving insects that feed on feather debris and can multiply rapidly.
🔹 Scaly Leg Mites – Burrow under the scales on a pigeon’s legs and feet, causing crusty, scaly skin.
🔹 Red Mites – Nocturnal parasites that hide in loft cracks and feed on pigeon blood at night.

Signs & Symptoms of a Mite or Lice Infestation

🚨 Watch out for these warning signs in your pigeons:

✔ Excessive Preening & Feather Plucking – Birds constantly scratching or pulling at their feathers.
✔ Bald Patches – Areas of missing feathers, especially around the neck, under the wings, and the vent.
✔ Damaged or Frayed Feathers – Ragged-looking feathers that break easily.
✔ Restlessness at Night – Pigeons moving around due to nocturnal mite activity.
✔ Weight Loss & Reduced Energy – Parasites drain vital nutrients, causing birds to lose condition.

How to Check for Mites & Lice:
📌 Hold your pigeon under bright light and gently part the feathers near the skin. Look for tiny, moving insects or white debris (mite eggs).

How to Prevent Feather Mites & Lice in Pigeons

Prevention is easier than treatment, so keep your loft clean and pest-free by following these key steps:

1. Maintain a Clean Loft

✔ Remove old nesting materials and droppings weekly.
✔ Disinfect perches, nest boxes, and walls using loft-safe disinfectants.
✔ Use diatomaceous earth (DE) in cracks and crevices where mites hide.

2. Regularly Inspect Your Birds

✔ Check pigeons every 2-3 weeks for signs of infestation.
✔ Quarantine new birds before introducing them to the main loft.

3. Use Natural Pest Repellents

✔ Add apple cider vinegar (ACV) to drinking water (1 tablespoon per liter) to support skin health.
✔ Provide dust baths with sand and DE to naturally control mites.

4. Apply Preventive Treatments

✔ Use pigeon-safe mite sprays or powders on birds and loft surfaces.
✔ Apply Ivermectin drops (as prescribed by a vet) every few months for external parasite control.

Treatment: How to Get Rid of Mites & Lice in Pigeons

If your pigeons are already infested, act fast to eliminate the parasites before they cause serious damage.

1. Treating the Birds

✔ Pigeon Mite Sprays & Powders: Use pigeon-safe insecticide sprays such as Permethrin-based products.
✔ EKTO/ENDO DROPS (Spot-On Treatment): Applied to the back of the neck, it kills mites and lice within 48 hours.
✔ Neem Oil & Essential Oils: Natural alternatives to repel mites—mix 1 part neem oil with 5 parts water and lightly spray affected areas.

2. Loft Disinfection & Deep Cleaning

✔ Use a steam cleaner or loft disinfectant to kill mites hiding in wooden surfaces.
✔ Replace nesting materials and bedding.
✔ Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in loft cracks to dehydrate and kill mites naturally.

3. Support Pigeon Recovery

✔ Increase protein intake to help regrow damaged feathers.
✔ Provide probiotics to restore gut health if the pigeon was stressed.
✔ Use vitamin supplements to boost immunity and recovery.

Real-Life Case Study: How a Pigeon Racer Eliminated a Severe Mite Infestation

David, a dedicated pigeon racer, noticed that his best-performing birds were suddenly sluggish, losing feathers, and showing signs of discomfort. Upon closer inspection, he found red mites hiding in loft crevices.

What He Did:
🔹 Treated birds with Ivermectin drops to kill existing mites.
🔹 Deep-cleaned the loft using a disinfectant and steam treatment.
🔹 Applied diatomaceous earth to nesting boxes and perches.
🔹 Introduced dust baths with sand and ash for natural parasite control.

The Result:
Within two weeks, the pigeons showed visible improvement. Their feathers grew back stronger, and their energy levels returned. By maintaining a strict cleaning routine, David prevented future infestations and kept his birds in peak racing condition.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Pigeons Mite & Lice-Free

Feather mites and lice can seriously affect your pigeons’ health, comfort, and racing performance if left unchecked. By implementing preventive measures, treating infestations quickly, and maintaining a clean loft, you can ensure your pigeons stay strong, healthy, and competition-ready.

🚀 Take action today! Inspect your pigeons, clean your loft, and use natural or medicated treatments to keep mites and lice at bay.

Until Next tine Keep Them Healthy And Flying