Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

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).