Self-dusting by birds is a natural defense against mites (and lice) and can be aided by poultry farmers providing diatomaceous earth (also known as kaolin). The harsh dust of the diatomaceous earth abrades the cuticle of the mites, dehydrating them fatally. Some mites of domestic animals have stages of their lifecycle in the general environment or the nesting places of their hosts, typically the dermanyssid mites. Control is done by cleaning and disinfection of these sites, or by using traps for the mites. Psoroptes mites of sheep can survive for several weeks on fomites of wool on structures of pens and transport trucks, so cleaning and disinfecting these structures reduces infestation. Vaccination against some species of mites has been tested experimentally. The sheep-scab mite Psoroptes ovis is the target for such control because of its wide distribution, serious economic importance, and because it feeds on inflammatory exudate which contains antibodies reactive against antigens in the mite's gut. The rationale for such vaccination follows invention of a commercial synthetic antigen vaccine against the tropical cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus. Gallery References Further reading Anonymous (2006). Pesticides and their Application for the Control of Vectors and Pests of Public Health Importance. Geneva, World Health Organization. Baker, A.S. (1999). Mites and Ticks of Domestic Animals: an identification guide and information source. London: The Stationery Office, . Bowman, D.D. (2009). Georgi's Parasitology for Veterinarians. St. Louis: Saunders / Elsevier, . Hendrix, C.M. & Robinson, E. (2011). Diagnostic Parasitology for Veterinary Technicians. St. Louis: Mosby / Elsevier, . Lancaster, J.L. & Meisch, M.V. (1986). Arthropods in Livestock and Poultry Production. Chichester: Ellis Horwood Ltd. . Russell, R.C., Otranto, D. & Wall, R.L. (2013). Encyclopedia of Medical and Veterinary Entomology. Wallingford & Boston: CABI, . Walter, D.E. & Proctor, H. (2013). Mites: Ecology, Evolution and Behavior – Life at a microscale. Dordrecht, Springer. . Zajac, A. & Conboy, G.A. (2012) Veterinary Clinical Parasitology. Chichester: Wiley–Blackwell, . External links Lice and mites of chickens: diagnosis and control. Lice and mites of poultry, University of California. Sheep scab – Iowa State University. Psoroptic mange – Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, UK. Acari. The Mites, Tree of Life Project Parasitic Insects, Mites and Ticks: Genera of Medical and Veterinary Importance Acari and humans Parasites of birds Veterinary entomology Livestock