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Harvest mites; Aaaarrrgghhh!!!
Topic Started: Sep 10 2009, 07:47 PM (127 Views)
Laura Sep 10 2009, 07:47 PM Post #1
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 Little :x: are back this year. I can find very little information on them except that they live on chalky downs in warm summers (that describes our Island :err: )

If you are lucky enough not to have seen them, they are teeny weeny orange mites that look like clusters of dots, usually between toes, on belly and in front of ears where hair is scarce. They eat the top layer of skin and drive the dogs mad :(

The vet is useless and suggested frontline. All the info I can find says this won't work and I woudn't put the horrid stuff anywhere near my dogs if it did.

Last year, after loads of searching, i managed to get hold of some stuff with benzyl in it (used to use it for horse mites) it worked after a few treatments but it stinks and it's really hard to make sure 3 dogs aren't licking it off for the 12 hours it needs to stay on!! Also it irritated Megs sensitive skin (what doesnt?! poor thing :rolleyes: )

I have washed them all in a tea tree and lavender bath which has soothed the soreness, but not killed the chiggers.

I am really hoping someone out there knows of a lovely natural cure! :crossedfingers:

Thanks x
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zandd Sep 10 2009, 08:01 PM Post #2
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 Sorry but the only thing I've found that will kill them is Frontline spray - and only the spray,mine had them last week,one spray and they're both clear.Don't know of any natural treatment.

Found some possibilities here.

By the way wait till they bite you,itch like hell they do.
Edited by zandd, Sep 10 2009, 08:05 PM.
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zandd Sep 10 2009, 08:12 PM Post #3
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 Just found a site that says TCP may help - haven't linked as it's a hunting site.
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Laura Sep 10 2009, 08:26 PM Post #4
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 Thanks guys, I'll definately try the 'bug oil' remedy mentioned on that site. I have 2 of the 3 ingredients anyway. I'd probably be a bit reluctant to use TCP on Meg as she tends to get skin reactions to just about anything (I swear that dog is allergic to her own fur!!)

Been doing some more searching and apperrently the bugs will die off when we get a frost. That will be a few month's but I'm making ice cubes as we speak to see what I can do...
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Red Rascal Sep 10 2009, 11:25 PM Post #5
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 Don't know if this will work with Harvest Mites but Neem is really great at repelling midges and fleas etc. and I also use it a lot on Rascal for scratches and his sore pads as it has antibacterial properties and is totally safe if when he licks it off as best he can. :rolleyes:

It was actually on the news a week or two ago, they were saying it was the best repellent for those nasty Scottish Midgets Link, and some people were swearing it was the only thing to stop the little b*ggers biting them.

The cheapest place I have found to buy neem products is Mekuti (and you know its good quality) but just done a google search and suddenly everywhere seem to be selling it! Its just a thought, it might work and is totally natural and safe for them to lick.
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zandd Sep 11 2009, 11:03 AM Post #6
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 Thanks RR,great site that Mekuti one :ok:
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Laura Sep 11 2009, 05:24 PM Post #7
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 Wow, brilliant site! I had thought about neem as I know it's meant to be good for all kind of skin things and bugs. Will be getting some.
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Tafia Sep 12 2009, 04:58 PM Post #8
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 Reading a similar thread on another forum where a couple of old timers highly recommend Benzyl Benzoate as being the Harvest Mites greatest enemy!

Worth a try, apparently it used for horse's with sweet itch.
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roo roo Sep 12 2009, 06:41 PM Post #9
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 we used to use benzyl benzoate for many years but i heard it had been banned when we joined the european union or something as a lot of medicines were that didnt comply with stupid eu rulings? :err:
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Tafia Sep 12 2009, 08:21 PM Post #10
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 Apparently you used to be able to get it everywhere bought over the counter. Boot's do sell it but only with a perscription!

But it seems to be available from internet outlets.
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roo roo Sep 12 2009, 09:05 PM Post #11
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 theres a few remedies and other things id love to still be able to buy but cant.one was fucidin ointment for coldsores.it was the best coldsore treatment available EVER. :ok: stopped them dead in one day.ive never known anyhting to work as good as it.
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zandd Sep 16 2009, 09:30 AM Post #12
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 For those interested in Neem products this site has an introductory pack for £2.00.Apparently all these products - including toothpaste - can (and have been) used on dogs
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Laura Sep 18 2009, 03:21 PM Post #13
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 I've been putting tea tree and lavender on them all week as i can't find anywhere round here which sells anything else mentioned! I try to avoid buying off the net as we've had a couple of bad experiences. Sally is fine now, no redness or mites, Billy is improving, it's hard to tell because he is not keen on me going near his feet, especially with ointment! so I can't get a good look at him. Meg is just as bad as ever :err: I managed to get just enough out of the bottle of benzyl benzoate I got last year to treat her, but it needs more than one treatment to work and it's really smelly!!

Mum said she's have a look for neem stuff and bring it accross for me when she visits, anyone know of any shops which sell it?
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Laura Sep 23 2009, 05:24 PM Post #14
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 Update:

I've been continuing to put the lavender and tea tree on Meg every day, and have treated Sal and Billy every other day just incase they pick them back up off Meg, it does seem to be working. Meg's feet are not sore and red any more, there's still some redness round her 'ankles and knees' but it's improving, and I can't see any mites left today :D

So there you go, tea tree and lavender works after about a week.

Would still like to get some neem stuff to see if it helps Meg's other problems, so if anyone knows a UK shop...?
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zandd Sep 23 2009, 05:49 PM Post #15
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 Laura I asked on a couple of forums about this but no-one knows other than via internet.
Glad to hear such a good result from natural products too :ok:
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