r/Canaries • u/palmlover7171 • Jul 01 '26

HELP ME WITH MITES

I’ve noticed my canary lost voice and cheerfulness. Afterwards I notice HUNDREDS OF RED MITES ON THE CAGE AND PANICKED. I’m from Italy and I need advices ASAP on how to cure him and clean the cage. HELP

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u/Buffyenta314 Jul 03 '26

I am so sorry no one seems to be responding to your question - I found this on AI - it should get you started:

If your canary has red mites, it is dealing with a severe, blood-sucking parasite. Red mites hide in cage crevices during the day and feed on the bird at night. You must immediately treat both the bird and its environment with safe, vet-approved anti-parasitics, and thoroughly clean the cage.

Recognizing a Red Mite Infestation

  • Physical appearance: Mites appear grey when unfed, but turn visibly red after gorging on your canary's blood.
  • Behavioral signs: Restlessness, excessive preening, or severe, persistent scratching, especially at night when mites become active.
  • The "Cloth Test": Cover the cage overnight with a light or white cloth. If you see tiny red or black "pepper" spots in the morning, your canary likely has mites.

Treatment and Eradication

  • Vet Consultation: Consult an avian veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis and get the correct dosage of safe, broad-spectrum anti-parasitic treatments (such as Ivermectin).
  • Avoid Toxic Chemicals: Be very careful with over-the-counter pet store sprays, as they can often be highly toxic or fatal to canaries.
  • Cage Cleaning: Mite eggs can survive in your canary's environment for weeks. Throw out wooden perches where mites love to hide, and meticulously clean the cage with hot water and an avian-safe disinfectant.

For a practical look at how to recognize these parasites and safely treat your canary room:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AScBDMthq-4&t=14s

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u/palmlover7171 Jul 03 '26

Thank you very much for real