Red Mite and the Lion Code

Published on : 25 Aug 2026

BEIC maintains a list of acaricides which have appropriate registrations and which may be used for red mite control purposes...

Red mite control is an important part of lying hen management however products used to control red mite should be authorised for that use. There are three categories of product which may be used as part of a red mite control program.

Prescription only medicines
These are products containing licensed active ingredients (for example Exzolt containing Fluralaner) have been subjected to a range of testing by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in order to become licensed. This testing demonstrates safety and efficacy of the product ensuring that treatment is safe both for your flock of hens and also the eggs that they produce (providing the stated egg withdrawal period is observed).

Non-licensed in-water tonic products
These are not prescription only products and instead must contain ingredients which are registered as approved feed additives. These products may be used to help support flock health in the face of a significant red mite burden. These products cannot make a claim to directly treat red mite or else they would need to be subjected to assessment by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to prove the ability of the product to treat the disease it is claiming to address, and as such could only be supplied via a veterinary prescription. However, the use of supplementation with a combination of multivitamins and essential oils to boost flock immunity and help the birds recover from anaemia associated with red mite burden should not be underestimated.

Registered Acaricides
These are chemicals or compounds which have a direct effect on the red mite through contact in the poultry house. Red mite treatments of this nature must be listed with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and have gained PT18 registration. The HSE maintains a very large database covering a wide range of product applications. Crucially products listed here must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Therefore, topical red mite sprays which state that they are not to be used with livestock present, cannot be used whilst the birds are housed.

Diatomaceous earth products which have a claim for controlling red mite with birds present may be according to the product instructions (for example by slurry application to the house furniture or by provision in dust baths) whilst products which do not make this claim can only be used for the purposes that they are registered (eg anti-caking of feed) and cannot be used for red mite control.

BEIC maintains a list of acaricides which have appropriate registrations and which may be used for red mite control purposes. This list is designed to prevent products being used incorrectly which can lead to residues occurring in eggs. The Fipronil case in Europe several years ago is a classic example where a product that was very effective against red mite, but which was not licenced for use in the way it was supplied caused sever industry disruption.