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Should I disinfect my coop during a blood lice outbreak?

A blood lice infestation is extremely annoying and it takes a long time to get it under control. Getting rid of blood lice 100% is unfortunately impossible, because the eggs can survive at least 2 years and hatch as soon as the conditions are ideal again. It is therefore important to always keep a close eye on the presence of blood lice and act quickly. Maintenance of the coop is very important, but is disinfection necessary? We are happy to explain!

CACKLE TALKS | Guest blog Hans Krudde: Why is the chicken so hip!

Yes indeed, chickens are hip. More and more households keep a flock of chickens for fun. Keeping chickens as a hobby is no longer exclusively reserved for those who live in the countryside; there is room for a few chickens in every garden, and chickens are even kept on balconies and houseboats. Whether the latter is desirable is debatable from the point of view of animal welfare, but if it is possible for chickens to perform their natural behavior under such conditions, i.e. scratching, sand bathing, sheltering and perching, then there is nothing wrong with that.

Guest blog Hans Krudde: Chicken matching

Finally the decision is made; we are going to keep chickens! The whole family has agreed but each member does have his or her preferences when it comes to the breed. How does this family find a breed that meets all the individual needs, because just once the most suitable breed is found, we can proceed with the purchase of a coop with all the supplies and the fencing off of the run. Then the chickens can come.

Prevent fleas in dogs naturally

Do you want to treat your pet against fleas naturally? Then the natural way is an ideal solution. A natural supplement makes the blood of dogs indigestible for fleas with the result that they can no longer lay eggs. This interrupts the cycle of fleas. Thus, no new fleas can develop and the infestation in your dog’s environment is reduced. Such a supplement is 100% natural and consists of herbs and essential oils and therefore does not negatively affect the dog’s resistance.

Why an oral supplement is necessary to treat red mites in chickens

Red mites are very clever parasites that take advantage of the behavior of chickens. As soon as the chickens move to the perch, the red mites spring into action. During the day, the red mites are safely hidden in a crack that the chicken cannot reach, but where pesticides cannot reach either. This red mite behavior makes it a difficult problem to control. The only, really good way to deal with red mites is through the chicken and for that an internal (herbal) supplement is necessary.

Did you know that chickens eat red mites?

Yes it really is true, chickens eat red mites when they see them. This is also why red mites are active at night. Then the chickens sit on sticks and can suck blood undisturbed. Red mites are very smart because they will always build their nest in a place the chicken cannot reach. Unless the red mite outbreak is so big that there is no other way. But did you know that chickens can also contribute a little to the treatment of red mites? In this blog we explain how exactly and why it is therefore extra important to choose a natural treatment method.

How effective are red mite blockers against red mites

Red mites are actually very clever parasites. By hiding during the day, they protect themselves from the active chickens. And as soon as the chickens move to the perch, the red mites become active. The chicken’s peace is disturbed considerably as soon as there are red mites in the coop. Red mite blockers are ideal for this reason, because they ensure that chickens can sit quietly on their perches. How does this work? Read all about it in this blog!

How long can red mites survive without chickens around?

Red mites can survive without chickens for about 2 weeks. But the eggs survive much longer and are often the reason for a large and recurring infestation. Its a big job to get rid of an infestation for those who didn’t detect the red mites in time. Because the more red mites, the longer it takes to get rid of them. We explain in this blog how long red mites survive and how to treat them most efficiently.

Help, I spotted red mites on the chickens. What can I do best now?

Red mites never come alone. Have you spotted red mites without using a red mite test? Then you can assume that there are at least a hundred others in the chicken coop and there is no time to waste. Because all these red mites lay as many as eight eggs(!!!) per day. The longer you wait, the more red mites and the more difficult the treatment is! With a red mite test you can spot the red mites earlier and therefore avoid only discovering them when they have already reproduced a lot.

The difference between young and adult red mites

The most effective way to control red mites is to treat young (larval) and older (adult) mites differently from each other. This is because young and older red mites are different in behavior. Young red mites are in nests in the coop and older red mites are often on the chickens/birds. The young lice in particular are more vulnerable and therefore can be reached with an environmental spray. Older, larger red mites will walk over the spray more easily and have a harder shell. Therefore, it is important to use both a spray and a food supplement when problems with red mites occur.

CHARACTERISTICS | Lime feet in chickens

Worm infection in chickens: symptoms, cause and prevention!

Cackling Easter: chickens color the eggs themselves

CHARACTERISTICS | Feather pecking

Guest blog Hans Krudde: One chicken is not the other! Chicken breeds

We know chickens with leg feathers, with tufts, with all kinds of comb forms, with very short legs or on the contrary with enormous stilts, with various feather structures and what about all the different colors and drawings….? Yet all these creations of chickens descend from that one primal chicken; the Bankiva Fowl.

Why it’s important to optimally support a horse’s immune system with switch itch

Sweet itch is a very unpleasant condition in horses that causes a lot of itching. But inside, it does much more. Therefore, it is important to keep the resilience of your horse as high as possible, if it is suffering from sweet itch. Read in this blog why and how you can do that!

The difference between chemical and natural anti-flea and tick products

The season is already in full swing. Right now, conditions are ideal for ticks and fleas to reproduce and for the eggs to hatch. Therefore, it is advisable to protect dogs from fleas and ticks. However, there are many different products on the market and the choice is vast. Here you can choose many chemical and some natural anti-flea products. Experience has shown that many dog lovers do not know the difference between these products. Therefore, in this article you will read about the differences in action on parasites.

Why do blood lice sometimes jump on people?

At Finecto+ customer service, we regularly get messages from people who are jumped by blood lice and, with bad luck, even have them in their homes. Often the main question is “Is this dangerous for me?”. Simple answer: no, but extremely annoying. In this blog, we want to explain to you why blood lice sometimes jump on people.

Blood lice in horses? Is it possible?

We are regularly asked whether blood lice that normally bother chickens can also occur in horses. After all, many horse owners also have chickens that roam among the horses and lay an egg in the stable from time to time. And when there is an infestation of blood lice in the chickens, it is not always possible to treat the entire stable complex of the horse as well. So is blood lice in horses possible? Read more in this blog.

Guest blog Hans Krudde: What is a chicken?

Our guest author Hans Krudde wants to scare you a little bit. Do you want to learn more about chickens or want to start keeping chickens? It’s a lot of fun! We and Hans Krudde will be writing several blogs in the near future. Here is our first blog: What is a chicken? We hope you enjoy reading!

What does an internal herbal supplement do for horses with mites?

Herbs against mites? That’s not effective at all, is it? Surely a medicine from the vet is many times easier and the mites are instantly dead and you have no more work to do. Right? Or is it a bit more complicated? And what does an herbal supplement do for horses that have mites? We are happy to explain it to you in this blog!

Mites in horses, what can you do?

We are in the middle of December and the temperatures suddenly drop significantly, real freezing temperatures! It gets more humid and horses are stabled more often. This means that mites can become very active and like to nest in horses’ warm feathers. Is your horse sensitive to mites and would you like some extra tips? In this blog, we are happy to explain what you need to do to get rid of mites.

What are feather lice and how do you treat them?

Most chicken owners are familiar with red mites in chickens. But did you know that there is another annoying louse/mite in chickens that causes a lot of irritation? Feather lice are also mites and are a common ectoparasite in chickens. Read in this blog what feather lice are and what the treatment against feather lice looks like.

Can worms in chickens be controlled naturally?

Many chicken owners do not realize that chickens can also suffer from worms. It is only when the chickens become ill that a worm infection is discussed and the vet is called in for a worm treatment. But did you know that you can also treat worms preventively and that there are natural remedies nowadays? These have no negative effects on the quality of eggs!

Mites Season in Horses: What Steps Should I Take?

Unfortunately, the mite season has already started, the first horses are already stamping and scratching with their legs. October is often (unfortunately) the month in which the mites are on the rise. Temperatures drop, it gets wetter and the horse’s resistance is under pressure. But what steps should you take now?

Stay alert! Red mites can also hatch in the autumn!

Slowly the temperatures continue to drop, many chicken owners hope that this will also put the red mites at rest. But did you know that at temperatures above 5 degrees, the adult red mites are just active and then also lay eggs? And that at temperatures above 10 degrees the eggs hatch and can develop into adult red mites?

Why there is no product that works 100% against fleas and ticks

Fleas and ticks are perhaps the biggest annoyance of dog owners. As an owner you will spontaneously get itchy when you see the parasites walking, but dogs can also get a lot of complaints from it. If you treat your dog for fleas and ticks (chemically or naturally), your dog may still get fleas and ticks. How is this possible and is there a product that works 100% against fleas and ticks?

Prepare for the mite season in horses!

September! The month in which you unfortunately have to take into account mites in horses. Temperatures are slowly dropping, it is becoming more humid and horses are usually more stabled towards the end of the month. This means that the mites will also become more active again and like to nest in the warm (sweltering) socks of horses. Do you want to be ahead of the mite misery this year? Prepare now for the mite season!

How long should you continue to treat horses with sweet itch?

A frequently asked question is: “How long should I continue to treat my horse with sweet itch? “. And we understand that you would like to know this, we as people like to have a guideline. Unfortunately, this is not the case with horses. Sweet itch is weather dependent and does not go away overnight. In this blog we will therefore indicate until when you should treat horses with sweet itch.

Is an internal supplement enough to control sweet itch?

Sweet itch is perhaps one of the most difficult ailments in horses. There are also tons of products on the market that claim to be the miracle cure. Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure for sweet itch. Every horse is different and every horse reacts differently to substances, what works for your horse may not work for the neighbor’s horse and vice versa. It can therefore really be a search for a suitable product. But is just feeding a supplement enough to control sweet itch in horses?

Which herbs support sweet itch in horses?

There are several supplements available on the market that are said to be effective against sweet itch, but which herbs actually support? Which herbs are useful to give to your horse with sweet itch? Usually a supplement with some of these herbs is the most suitable, because of the broad effect and the cooperation of herbs. You should not only look for herbs that relieve itching, but that are also important for the resistance and digestion. In this blog we would like to discuss these herbs and why they are suitable for horses with sweet itch.

Red mite control: through food or through the drinking water of chickens?

There are various products available that combat red mites in chickens in a natural way. For example, there is a nutritional supplement that you sprinkle over the food, but there is also a drinking water application. Which product do you choose if your chickens have red mites or to prevent red mites?

Adult red mite killed by freezing cold, but the first mite eggs are hatching again due to the rising temperatures

The freezing cold of last week has killed many of the adult red mites. With adult mites we mean the red mites that have already sucked blood. However, red mite eggs can withstand the freezing cold. And where adult mites are, there are at least 8 times as many mites eggs. Because an adult red mite lays on average about 8 new eggs per day. And these eggs hatch at temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius. Especially with the predicted warm temperatures of above 15 degrees.

Sweet itch horse? Then start taking these steps now!

It may sound a bit early and exaggerated, but now is the time to prepare your horse with sweet itch for the coming itching season. Many problems with sweet itch are caused by feed (stomach and intestines). And dietary changes take several months to positively affect the stomach and intestines. Winter is therefore the ideal opportunity to support and prepare your horse in advance.

Why coccidiosis in chickens cannot be prevented

Can you recognize the symptoms of coccidiosis in your chickens? Slimming, sitting “bulging” and a sick impression. With these symptoms it is possible that your chicken has coccidiosis. Read in this blog what exactly coccidiosis is how a chicken becomes infected and why an infection cannot be prevented.

What is the difference between chemical and natural treatment against mites in horses?

The main difference between chemical and natural anti-mite products is the build-up of resistance. After some time, mites can become resistant to chemical pesticides. This is impossible with natural products. But this is not the only difference. The effect is also different. Has your horse been struggling with mites for some time? Read the differences in this blog so that you can make the right choice in the approach to mites!

Mites in horses: whether or not to shave off the feathers?

Tinkers, Frisians and other (cold blood) breeds are known for their beautiful and luscious feathers. But these breeds are also more susceptible to mites. And then comes the dilemma with a mite infestation; do or do not shave off the feathers. A subject that is much discussed. Read our vision on this in this blog.

Why the red mite test is extra important in the autumn

The chicken farmers who had to deal with a red mite outbreak this summer are happy with the approaching autumn. Finally the red mites become less active. But is this the case? Only with a red mite test in the coop you can be sure whether the red mites are no longer active. In this blog, we explain why it is now important to use a red mite test.

Do I also have to deworm my chickens?

Worms in chickens is a problem that is often discovered too late. This is because the symptoms only become visible when the chicken has been suffering from worms for some time. Many chickenfarmers therefore give a preventive worm treatment once a year. However, is this a wise thing to do? And are there other ways to prevent worms in chickens?

Did your horse have mites last year? There are probably still eggs present!

Now is the time to start preventing a mite outbreak. Especially if your horse (or another horse in the stable) had mites last year. The eggs that are still present in the area of the horse are now starting to hatch. How do you prevent problems with mites this year? Read more!

Rainy weather and warm feathers, the ideal breeding ground for mites in horses!

The mite season kicks off with the arrival of the wet and colder weather. This makes the legs of horses moist as well as warm, something that mites love. As it gets colder more and more mites will seek heat from the horses. Start prevention in time and get ahead of the mites this year.

A detox at the end of the summer: very important for horses that are sensitive to mites

Did your horse suffer from mites in the past year? Then the time has come to give your horse a detox and then start the treatment for the prevention of mites. Detox is often forgotten in the comprehensive approach to mites. However, this is an important first step. Read in this blog why a detox is so important for horses that are sensitive to mites.

Sweet itch season is not over yet: often in September and October flare-ups of sweet itch!

Outside it seems as if autumn is beginning to arrive. A sign that the sweet itch season is nearing the end. But don’t be fooled by the inclement weather. The wetness and temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius make it ideal for the midges to bring about a revival of sweet itch in horses. In addition, there are other factors that can cause a revival of itching. Read more below this photo what those are.

Can you recognize sweet itch?

Sweet Itch, Tail and Mane Eczema or Summer Seasonal Recurrent Dermatitis. All terms for a hypersensitivity to insect bites in horses. Sweet itch is a condition that occurs in horses, ponies and donkeys from about March to November.

8 common red mite treatment mistakes

Red mite treatment is often underestimated. After all, who would expect such tiny parasites to be so smart? The most common mistake is failure to understand the red mite’s behaviour. Without this knowledge, it is very difficult to find the right combination of measures. Did you know that a red mite’s egg can survive up to two years? Or that the mites only feed on blood once every six days? This article explains the most common red mite treatment mistakes.

Is sweet itch affecting fewer horses than we think?

When horses exhibit summertime rubbing behaviour, sweet itch is often assumed to be the culprit. But there are many other potential causes of summertime rubbing behaviour. As a consequence, many horses are treated for sweet itch without any results. This is why it is very important to determine the cause of rubbing behaviour in the summertime. Laminitis, sugars in their food, insect bite sensitivity, obesity and other types of itches are all potential causes of a summertime itch.

Why ticks are on the rise – and what to do about it

Fleas and ticks have become active year-round. Our winters are becoming milder, our summers longer and warmer. These are ideal circumstances for ticks, which can transmit nasty diseases such as Lyme. How to protect your dog from tick bites? And when to start?

Attention: from one red mite to 16,000 in two months!

If you’ve got a single red mite in your chicken pen today, you will have 16,000 of them 60 days from now. Blood lice multiply at lightning speed. Today everything may seem fine, tomorrow you may have a sudden lice explosion. This is why it is so important to start treatment right away. The more lice, the longer it will take to get the population under control. But how quickly do lice really multiply?

Why there is no such thing as a perfect sweet itch treatment

Has your horse been rubbing its tail or manes during summer? Have you been wrapping it up completely without successfully eliminating the itch? Or have you tried a product to combat sweet itch with disappointing results? Sweet itch is a very persistent problem and unfortunately no perfect treatment exists. The only effective approach involves multiple simultaneous actions.

How does Finecto+ Dog work against ticks?

Does your dog tend to attract a lot of ticks during walks? A downside of good weather is that ticks become active as well. And with the milder winters today, ticks become active earlier on and in larger numbers. Ticks cause irritation as well as transmitting diseases such as Lyme. This is why it is important to keep your dog free of ticks. Did you know that a lot of anti-tick solutions don’t repel, but herbs do?

How does Finecto+ Horse work for horses with sweet itch?

Has your horse been scratching itself to smithereens every summer? It may be suffering from sweet itch. Horses with sweet itch are sensitive to proteins found in the saliva of midges (the culicoides mosquito). With every mosquito bite, some of this protein is deposited which causes an itch that becomes worse over time in sensitive horses. It is important to protect horses with sweet itch from these bites.

Red mites extremely early this year

The past winter remained virtually frost-free and it looks like spring will be starting very early. The natuurkalender.nl website by Wageningen University keeps a close eye on the natural environment. Late February, they issued a statement announcing that spring is likely to start five weeks earlier than usual!

Coccidiosis in rabbits – intestinal parasites that cause diarrhoea

One of the most common diseases in rabbits is coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is an infection caused by parasites (coccidia) in the intestines. Contamination is possible through eating grass and hay in the rabbit pen that harbours the eggs (oocysts) of these parasites. While rabbits with a healthy immune system will not be affected by them, young rabbits or adults with a compromised immunity can become very ill. In this article you will find out more about the symptoms and treatment of coccidiosis in rabbits.

How does Finecto+ work for chickens with red mite?

The Finecto+ method consists of a combination of the red mite test, the Finecto+ Protect spray and Finecto+ Oral for mixing in with the feed. Only by combining both products can red mites be controlled both in the coop as on the chickens themselves. The Finecto+ method can be used to control red mite. It is not a pesticide however, so don’t expect all the red mites to be dead within a few days. This article explains how it works.

How does Finecto+ Horse work for horses with mites?

Is your horse stomping or rubbing a lot? Then it’s very likely that mites are the culprit. They burrow small tunnels into the horse’s hide, mainly on the legs. They also suck blood and eat skin flakes in order to lay new eggs.

Seven steps for the effective treatment of mites in horses

Have you got a stomping Gypsy horse? A Frisian biting his socks? Or a Clydesdale with scabs on her legs? Your horse may have suffered a mite infection! Mites tend to crop up in fall, which is why it is important to start working towards your total solution now, in order to protect your horse against itching and sores. This blog explains what steps are involved.

Protecting your dog against ticks

Ticks are becoming increasingly common. They are also active for a longer time during the year due to milder winters. This means dogs are susceptible to ticks on an almost year-round basis. The problem with ticks is they transmit debilitating conditions, such as Lyme disease. That’s why you should always check your dog for ticks after a walk. Prevention is, of course, better than cure. So, how do you keep ticks off of your dogs?

Effectively treating red mites in chickens

If you have chickens, you’ll undoubtedly have heard of red mites (also called chicken mites). It’s a tricky problem that can only be controlled with an effective approach that involves implementing multiple measures at the same time. The chickens themselves can even help out with this!

10 steps to reducing sweet itch in horses

Sweet itch isn’t easy to get rid of, as there is no one treatment that can cure it. With a timely approach and a combination of measures, however, the condition can be brought under control. The following steps outline what to do.

Why there’s no quick fix for mite infection in horses

Mite infection is a very difficult to control problem in horses, one for which a quick fix does not exist. It’s often assumed that the problem will be resolved after one or two treatments, but that would be virtually impossible. The reason for this is the presence of mite eggs in the horse’s coat.

Do you want to poison ticks and fleas via your dog?

Many dog lovers do not know that chemical flea-repellent treatments are full of toxic substances. These toxic substances are not only harmful to fleas and ticks but to dogs themselves too. Many collars and spot-on drops contain the chemical substance fipronil at levels a hundred thousand times higher than in the fipronil egg scandal.

The importance of good timing when it comes to sweet itch!

Start treating sweet itch when the temperature rises above 10 °C. Keep a close eye on the temperature and start on time. Better too early than too late. This article will explain why this is so important.

Why now is the time to hang a red mite test in the chicken coop

The red mite season is upon us. That is why it is now time to hang a red mite test in the chicken coop. Read in this article how the red mite test works.

Can dogs also get fleas in winter?

Has your dog had fleas in the past two years? If so, there’s a considerable chance that there are still eggs in its surroundings that could hatch – in winter as well.

Do red mites die from below-freezing temperatures in the chicken coop in winter?

There are many stories about how red mite die in freezing temperatures. What exactly is the case? Read about it in this blog!

These signs indicate that your horse has a mite infection

Some horses display clear symptoms of a mite infection, but there are also many horses that don’t display symptoms. Regardless of whether your horse is displaying symptoms, treatment is always necessary.

Do’s & Don’ts -> mites in horses!

The mite season for horses has begun a little later than usual this year, thanks to the warm weather in October. If your horse is sensitive to mites, read this article to find out more about the do’s and don’ts.

How can I tell if my chicken has worms? How do I prevent worms?

A worm infection is generally not detected until it is too late. It is very likely that your chickens eat bugs that are carrying worm eggs. This is why we recommend preventive worm treatment for your chickens.

Prevent fleas in a natural manner with Finecto+ Dog!

Do you want to treat your pet for fleas in a natural manner? Then Finecto+ Dog is the perfect solution. Finecto+ Dog causes the dog’s blood to become indigestible for fleas, resulting in the fleas no longer being able to lay eggs. This interrupts the fleas’ life cycle, it prevents new fleas from developing and diminishes the infestation in your dog’s environment. Finecto+ Dog is 100% natural and consists of herbs and essential oils.

Be aware: mite and lice season for horses is about to start. Prevent problems and start treatment on time!

The lice and mite season for horses is imminent. Once the weather turns colder and the horses grow a thicker coat, lice and mites will try and find warmth with your horse. Lice and mites are especially a menace for horses with a lot of furr. However, just as with summer eczema, the rule of thumb with lice and mites is that the first bite should be prevented. Start treatment on time this year and avoid a scratching/stomping horse in the meadow!

NEW – the 100% natural Finecto+ method now also works against fleas and ticks on dogs!

More and more people started asking us: “Can Finecto+ also be used on dogs?”. Since dogs are picky eaters and have a different system than chickens or horses, we developed a version of Finecto+ specially for dogs, which is now available!

My horse suffers from sweet itch, what can I do?

The summer eczema season is already in full swing. Hopefully, you started trying to prevent summer eczema on time, so that your horse won’t be itching all season long. If you didn’t, it will be difficult to get your horse itch-free this summer. Fortunately, Finecto+ Horse can help you get rid of the sharp edges of summer eczema.

My chickens have red mites, what can I do?

If you’ve spotted red mites with your naked eye on your chickens, it means you’re too late to treat. Red mites are not easy to spot and if you see one, you can assume that there are many more. Because red mites reproduce very quickly, it is important to start treating them right away. The best way to do that is explained in this blog.

Why you should start control red mites now

The Red Mite season has already started, be on time and prevent your chickens of a red mite infestation. Apply these tips. Better safe than sorry!

Why you should start now with treating sweet itch (summer itch)!

Better too early than too late. A very important saying when it comes to the treatment of sweet Itch for horses. Read here why you start treating sweet itch already in March!

3 reasons why you should treat mite problems on horses through the feed

What a lot of horse lovers are not aware of, is that nowadays you can treat lice and mites via the feed with Finecto+ Horse. Apart from the fact that you don’t have to worry about those annoying washes with special anti-lice shampoos, these are the three reasons why you can best treat lice and mites through the feed.

Make 2017 a year without stamping and / or itchy horses!

For us, winter is not only a period where we seek some cosy warmth with friends; mites and lice also look for warmth on horses, resulting in stomping and chafing horses. A problem that causes a lot of irritation for the horse and its owner. But how do you get rid of the problem?

Finecto+ now also successfully used for horses, after chickens and birds!

A new way of treating your horse for lice and mosquitoes. No more washing with lice shampoo, just add the herbs of Finecto+ Horse to the horses’ food. Read here more about how it works.

Why insecticides are not effective against lice

Read here why chemical insecticides are not effective as a treatment against lice on chickens and birds.

Facts and myths about lice on chickens and birds

Read here more about the facts and fables of lice on chickens and birds.

3 tips to prevent red mites on chickens and birds

We all fear problems with red mites. Read here 3 tips to prevent red mites on chickens and birds.

5 symptoms to help you recognize (red) mites on chickens

Are you getting suspicious that your chickens might be affected by mites? Then you will probably recognise the following points in this article.

Finally a natural solution for mites on ornamental / exotic birds

For years mites have been a source of great irritation among lovers of ornamental bird, such as canaries. Read here more about the solution!