Red mite and composting

[SteevK]

Hello world
Just a thought... if you get an infestation of red mite and you tale out the wood shavings , straw etc. before you ‘Poultry Shield’ or ‘Smite’ it, can you still compost it? (I haven’t seen one yet, but there is still time, I’m only a newbie)
Many thanks

[Suechooks]

I might be inclined to burn it if the infestation was bad. Red mite can live a phenomenal length of time without feeding and if they're in the straw they have a perfect hidey-hole to sit and wait!

[SteevK]

Hi Sue
I thought as much. Lets hope it doesn't come to that. (I really must proof read my posts more thoroughly before posting tale/take. I blame fat fingers and a small keyboard)

[Hilary B]

I would have thought that the stuff for composting wasn't going to be where the redmite could get back to the hen house, and of course the composting process should get hot enough to be VERY bad for them!

[Suechooks]

I would have thought that the stuff for composting wasn't going to be where the redmite could get back to the hen house, and of course the composting process should get hot enough to be VERY bad for them!

Thinking they can travel a long way! How can you guarantee the compost wil get that hot all though/over especially when its a heap rather than a bin.
Being a belt and braces type I think I'd still burn it if I'd had a bad infestation.

[elizajay]

I put bedding in the compost bin a few years ago when I had an outbreak of red mite. I looked with horror as the red mites streamed out of the compost bin in waves! I wouldn't do it again, next time burn I reckon.

[jessmorris]

Oh lordy! I noticed the otehr day that my compost bin is full of teeny tiny creepy crawlies. Please tell me they're not red mite!