Host: Hogs
Description of Injurious Stages and Damage
Very small, pale-coloured mites burrow in tunnels under the skin, causing
intense itching and irritation. Infested animals scratch or rub themselves
until their skin becomes inflamed, scurfy and scabby. Growth rates of
infested feeders and weaners can be reduced. This disease is less severe
on well-cared for pigs compared to weak, unthrifty pigs. Presence of the
mites can be verified by examination of skin scrapings under a magnifying
glass.
Summary of Life History
Adult female mites lay eggs in the tunnels under the skin, which hatch
into young mites. The mites secrete an extremely irritating poison, which
together with their tunnelling causes excruciating itching. A generation
may be completed in 2 weeks. The mites can live only 1 or 2 days off the
host.
Control Recommendations
Maintain proper animal nutrition and health program to reduce severity and
spread of mange. Recommended control products are: ivermectin (1%
injectable), or malathion (1% spray). |
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