Backyard chickens are wonderful to have, but one of the most frustrating challenges we face as flock owners is chicken mites. These tiny parasites can cause stress, feather loss, decreased egg production, and even anemia in severe cases.
Thankfully, there are natural, safe, and effective ways to help deter mites — starting right inside your chickens’ nesting boxes.
One of the easiest and most effective methods is using herbs. Herbs not only create a more inviting nesting area but also contain natural properties that repel mites and lice. In this article, you’ll learn how to use herbs to protect your flock and why specific blends, like Nesting Box Herbs and Cooling Herbs, are a must-have for every coop.
Nesting Box Herbs
- Increases egg laying naturally.
- Improves chicken health.
- Deters parasites: mites, lice, fleas & flies as well as mice, rats, raccoons, coyotes, opossums and more!
- On SALE!
- SHOP Nesting Box Herbs
Why You Need to Prevent Mites in Chickens
Mites and lice aren’t just a nuisance — they can seriously affect your chickens’ health.
🐜 MITE INFESTATION PREVENTION IS CRITICAL BECAUSE:
- ⚠️ Egg Production Drops when hens are stressed with mites.
- ⚠️ Feather Damage leads to cold, unhappy hens.
- ⚠️ Anemia can occur from blood loss in severe infestations.
- ⚠️ Constant Irritation lowers your flock’s overall well-being.
Chicken Mite Prevention is Easier than Treatment
When it comes to chicken mites, prevention is always better—and easier—than treatment. Once mites invade, they multiply quickly and can spread through your entire flock, making eradication a stressful and time-consuming battle.
| Benefit | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Save your hens from unnecessary stress and discomfort | Calmer birds eat, rest, and lay better—less picking and fewer health setbacks. |
| Avoid the expense of treatments, powders, or repeated coop cleanouts | Routine herb use costs less than crisis treatments and deep-clean marathons. |
| Keep egg production steady and your flock healthier overall | Stable laying comes with lower stress and fewer parasite pressures. |
| Maintain a fresh-smelling, clean coop environment | Aromatic herbs help deter pests and make nest boxes more inviting. |
🌼 By Focusing on Prevention, You Can:
- ✅ Save your hens from unnecessary stress and discomfort
- ✅ Avoid the expense of treatments, powders, or repeated coop cleanouts
- ✅ Keep egg production steady and your flock healthier overall
- ✅ Maintain a fresh-smelling, clean coop environment
The good news is that natural prevention doesn’t have to be complicated. Herbs like lavender, peppermint, chamomile, and marigolds (found in my Nesting Box Herbs) create a less inviting environment for mites while also keeping the nesting area calm and comfortable for your hens.
Pairing them with the soothing botanicals in my Cooling Herbs for Chickens offers additional support during hot weather, when mites tend to thrive.
- INGREDIENTS: PEPPERMINT, HIBISCUS, LEMON BALM, CHAMOMILE, ROSE PETALS/BUDS
- Helps to lower chicken core body temperature.
- Improves Chicken Health and Well Being
- Releases muscle tension.
- Helps to calm chicken during stressful events(such as excessive heat).
- SHOP: COOLING HERBS for CHICKENS Beat the HEAT!
By being proactive, you’ll stop mites before they become a problem—making your chicken-keeping routine easier and your flock happier.
Natural Mite Prevention vs. Chemical Treatments
🌿 WHY NATURAL MITE PREVENTION WINS
While chemical mite treatments exist, many chicken keepers prefer natural methods because:
- ✅ Safer for hens, eggs, and your family.
- ✅ Can be used regularly as prevention rather than waiting for an outbreak.
- ✅ Herbs add multiple benefits — calming hens, improving nesting box freshness, and supporting egg laying.
Best Herbs for Chicken Mite Prevention
Not all herbs are created equal when it comes to mite control. The herbs in your Nesting Box Herbs blend are carefully chosen because they’re natural pest deterrents while also supporting hen health.
🌸 Herbs That Help Fight Mites & Lice
Here’s a breakdown of specific herbs that naturally repel pests while supporting your hens:
| 🌿 Herb | ✨ Benefits |
|---|---|
| Lavender | Repels lice & mites with scent; calms hens. |
| Peppermint | Strong mite deterrent; keeps nesting boxes fresh. |
| Marigolds (Calendula) | Repel insects with oils; brighten yolks naturally. |
| Rosemary | Antimicrobial; sharp scent keeps pests away. |
| Chamomile | Repels insects; soothes stressed hens. |
| Dandelion Leaf | Nutritional boost; keeps nesting boxes tidy. |
| Parsley | Vitamin-rich; supports egg production & pest defense. |
| Marjoram | Pest-deterring scent layer hens love. |
| Fennel Seed | Aromatic insect deterrent; supports digestion. |
👉 This powerful blend works together to keep mites and lice out of the coop while promoting healthier hens and cleaner eggs.
How to Use Nesting Box Herbs to Deter Mites
| ADDING HERBS TO YOUR NESTING BOXES IS SIMPLE, EFFECTIVE, AND CAN BE DONE REGULARLY. HERE’S HOW: |
| Step 1: Clean the nesting box thoroughly, removing old bedding. |
| Step 2: Sprinkle a generous handful of Nesting Box Herbs directly into the bottom of the box. |
| Step 3: Add fresh straw, pine shavings, or other bedding material. |
| Step 4: Sprinkle another light layer of herbs on top of the bedding. |
| Step 5: Repeat weekly or after every deep clean. |
🌿 Pro Tip: I like to mix the herbs right into the bedding when I refresh my coop. It keeps everything smelling fresh while providing continuous mite deterrence.
Where to Place Herbs for Maximum Protection
🌿 Where to Place Herbs for Maximum Protection
- ✅ Inside nesting boxes – First line of defense against mites.
- ✅ On coop floors – Sprinkle herbs around to discourage mites from spreading.
- ✅ In dust baths – Mix herbs like peppermint, chamomile, and lavender into dust baths for extra protection.
- ✅ Hanging bundles – Tie small bunches of rosemary, lavender, or peppermint and hang them in the coop.
🌿 Why Using Herbs to Deter Mites Works
Mites thrive in dark, damp, stuffy environments. Herbs help by:
- ✅ Releasing natural oils and scents pests avoid.
- ✅ Improving air circulation and coop freshness.
- ✅ Making the nesting box less attractive as a hiding/breeding ground.
From my own experience, when I started sprinkling herbs like peppermint and lavender into the nesting boxes, I noticed fewer “dust bath frenzies” from my hens — a sure sign they were more comfortable and less itchy.
Prevention really is so much easier than dealing with a full-blown mite infestation!
Cooling Herbs as Extra Protection
While Nesting Box Herbs are your primary defense against mites, your Cooling Herbs for Chickens blend also offers a hidden benefit: pest deterrence.
❄️ Some Herbs in the Cooling Herbs Mix
These herbs not only cool your hens during hot days but also help deter pests naturally:
- ✅ Peppermint – Doubles as a cooling and mite-repelling herb.
- ✅ Chamomile – Calming for hens, but also a pest deterrent.
- ✅ Rose Petals – Naturally discourage pests while freshening the coop.
- ✅ Hibiscus & Lemon Balm – Provide antioxidants and a natural deterrent to insects.
💡 During hot summer months, when mites thrive, using Cooling Herbs in the coop not only helps chickens stay comfortable but also adds another layer of protection.
Additional Natural Ways to Keep Mites Out of the Coop
🌿 Combine Herbs with Other Natural Strategies
Herbs are powerful, but for the best results, combine them with these natural strategies:
- ✅ Regular Coop Cleaning – Remove droppings, old bedding, and damp spots.
- ✅ Dust Baths – Provide dry, sandy areas mixed with herbs and a little diatomaceous earth.
- ✅ Good Ventilation – Keeps humidity low, which discourages mites.
- ✅ Check Chickens Often – Look under wings, around vents, and on legs for early signs of mites.
- ✅ Rotate Herbs – Switch between Nesting Box Herbs and Cooling Herbs for variety and effectiveness.
Why Herbs Work Better as Prevention
⚠️ Common Mistakes & Benefits of Preventive Herb Use
One of the biggest mistakes flock owners make is waiting until mites are out of control before acting. Herbs are best used as:
- ✅ Preventive Care – Regular use creates an environment mites hate.
- ✅ Stress Relief for Hens – Calmer hens are less vulnerable to stress-related illness.
- ✅ Egg-Laying Support – Healthier, happier hens = stronger eggs.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Flock the Natural Way
Mites don’t have to take over your chicken coop. By regularly using Nesting Box Herbs and supplementing with Cooling Herbs during hot months, you create a natural, safe, and effective barrier against these pests.
🌿 With herbs like lavender, peppermint, chamomile, and marigold working hard behind the scenes, you’ll notice:
- Fewer pests in your coop
- Happier, calmer hens
- Better egg production and cleaner eggs
I’ve seen firsthand how adding herbs to the coop completely transformed my flock’s health and comfort. Once I began using Nesting Box Herbs, I noticed my hens were calmer, their eggs were stronger, and best of all — the mites stopped being a problem.
👉 Ready to give your flock the protection they deserve? Try adding Nesting Box Herbs for Chickens today and let your hens enjoy a cleaner, pest-free coop!
Keep Mites Away the Easy Way
Preventing mites doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. A simple weekly sprinkle of Nesting Box Herbs in your coop and nest boxes helps create an environment that pests dislike, while also calming your hens and keeping their laying area fresh.
During the hotter months, adding Cooling Herbs for Chickens gives your flock an extra layer of comfort while still discouraging unwanted pests.
✨ Prevention is always easier than treatment—give your flock the natural protection they deserve today.
Nesting Box Herbs
- Increases egg laying naturally.
- Improves chicken health.
- Deters parasites: mites, lice, fleas & flies as well as mice, rats, raccoons, coyotes, opossums and more!
- On SALE!
- SHOP Nesting Box Herbs
For other natural ways of mite prevention read my article, “5 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Mites on Chickens-Naturally.”
