What should be done if bedbugs have bitten broilers? - briefly
Immediately isolate the affected birds, inspect the housing, and apply a licensed acaricide according to veterinary guidance. Dispose of contaminated bedding and monitor the flock for secondary infections.
What should be done if bedbugs have bitten broilers? - in detail
Bedbug activity in a broiler operation creates direct skin lesions on birds and may compromise feed conversion efficiency. Prompt containment prevents spread to adjacent houses and reduces economic impact.
Immediate response includes:
- Segregate the affected unit from healthy houses; maintain separate ventilation and personnel pathways.
- Conduct a thorough visual inspection of all equipment, perches, and litter to locate infestation sites.
- Collect specimens for laboratory confirmation; accurate identification guides treatment selection.
Sanitation measures require:
- Removal of all litter and bedding; discard in sealed containers to avoid accidental dispersal.
- Wash and disinfect feeders, drinkers, and housing structures with a registered avian‑safe biocide.
- Apply heat treatment to removable components, maintaining temperatures above 50 °C for at least 30 minutes to achieve mortality.
Control interventions may combine chemical and non‑chemical tactics:
- Apply an approved insecticide formulated for poultry environments, following label dosage and re‑entry intervals.
- Install insect growth regulators in cracks and crevices; these agents interrupt the bedbug life cycle without harming birds.
- Deploy low‑temperature freezing or steam treatments in areas where chemical use is restricted.
Monitoring and prevention involve:
- Establish a routine inspection schedule, documenting any signs of hemipteran activity.
- Integrate physical barriers such as sealed doors, screened ventilation, and slip‑resistant flooring to limit ingress.
- Implement an integrated pest‑management plan that includes staff training, record‑keeping, and periodic evaluation of control efficacy.
These actions, executed systematically, mitigate the immediate threat and reduce the likelihood of recurrence in future production cycles.