North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

The most effective control method for managing a chicken infestation of Dermanyssus gallinae, commonly known as the red mite, is thorough insecticidal treatment of the environment. This method is crucial because red mites spend most of their life cycle off the host, inhabiting cracks and crevices in the poultry house, bedding, and equipment. Consequently, simply treating the birds will not eliminate the mites since a significant population can persist in the environment, leading to repeated infestations.

Insecticidal treatment specifically targets these hiding places, reducing the overall population of mites and effectively breaking the life cycle. It is important to use products that are specifically labeled for use against Dermanyssus gallinae to ensure efficacy and safety.

While application of pesticides to affected birds may help reduce the mite population on the poultry themselves, it does not address the larger issue of their presence in the environment, where they can quickly reinfest treated birds. Regular bathing of birds, although it might provide temporary relief from external parasites, is not a practical or sustainable long-term solution for controlling this particular infestation. Home remedies often lack scientific backing and may not effectively eradicate the mites, making them an unreliable measure in dealing with a significant infestation.

Therefore, thorough insecticidal