Chorioptes Mites in Goats: What You Need to Know

What Are Chorioptes Mites?

Chorioptes mites are non-burrowing mites that live on the surface of the skin, feeding on skin debris. They tend to favor areas with less hair, such as the legs, tail, and udder. Unlike burrowing mites like Sarcoptes and Demodex, which tunnel under the skin and cause severe mange, Chorioptes mites live on the outer layer and cause more localized irritation.

These mites are host-specific, meaning the strain that affects goats is different from the ones that infest cattle, horses, or sheep. However, cross-infestation may occasionally occur in mixed-species farms.

Signs of Chorioptes Infestation in Goats

Goats infested with Chorioptes mites may show the following signs:

• Frequent foot stomping or leg biting/chewing
• Scratching at the legs, belly, or tail
• Hair loss and flaky skin, especially on the lower legs and tailhead
• Large flakes of dry, dead skin
• Red, inflamed, or irritated areas from persistent chewing or rubbing

Symptoms often become more noticeable in cold weather, when the goats are in closer quarters and mites have an easier time spreading. However, they can occur at any time of year, especially if housing is humid or poorly ventilated.

Diagnosing Chorioptes

A diagnosis can be made by your veterinarian using a skin scraping examined under a microscope. Because Chorioptes mites live on the surface, they are easier to detect than burrowing mites. If you suspect mites and your goats are exhibiting symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult your vet or start treatment on your own if you can’t get an appointment quickly. Early intervention can prevent secondary skin infections from excessive scratching and open wounds.

Treating Goats for Chorioptes Mites

Treatment typically includes both topical and systemic approaches:

Systemic Treatments:

• Eprinex (eprinomectin) is commonly used off-label for goats in the US. It is poured along the back (like a spot-on flea treatment in pets), and repeated in 10 to 14 days to break the life cycle. It is labeled for goats in the EU at twice the cattle dosage on the label in the US, and there is 0 milk withdrawal time. The EU dosage for goats is 1 ml per 11 pounds vs 1 ml per 22 pounds for cattle in the US. Because goats weigh so much less than cattle, don’t attempt to use the dosing cup that comes with the product. Just use a syringe without a needle.
• Ivermectin injections may also be used off-label, again with a repeat dose in 10 to 14 days, however, it should not be used in goats producing milk for human consumption as the milk withdrawal is more than a month. It is also important to note that this is a dewormer that stays in the body at a low level for a long time, which means it is much more likely to cause dewormer resistance than eprinomectin, which is a pour-on that clears the body much more quickly.

If you are in the US, using a drug “off-label” means the drug should be prescribed by your veterinarian, although both of these drugs are available over-the-counter at most farm supply stores and online.

Topical Support:

If goats have areas of damaged or irritated skin, you can use gentle, non-medicated treatments to soothe those spots:

• Plain aloe vera gel (with no added essential oils or alcohol) can be calming to irritated areas.
• Calendula ointment is another gentle option to support healing.

Avoid products that contain essential oils, arnica, or menthol, as these can further irritate broken or inflamed skin.

Be cautious with oil-based products like Shapley’s MTG, especially on raw skin. While the sulfur content can help with mites, too much oil can trap heat or cause additional redness if the skin is already sensitive.

Environmental Management: Killing Mites Off the Goat

One of the challenges with mite infestations is that treating the goat is only half the battle. Mites can survive in the environment and cause reinfestation if you don’t clean up the goat’s living area as well.

How Long Do Chorioptes Mites Live Off the Goat?

Chorioptes mites can survive up to 2 to 3 weeks off the host under ideal conditions—cool, humid, and shaded environments like bedding, cracks in wood, or corners of the barn. In dry, warm conditions, they usually die within a few days.

That means cleaning and treating the barn and bedding is a crucial part of any treatment plan.

Cleaning Recommendations:

1. Remove all bedding and organic matter.
2. Clean floors, walls, and crevices.
3. Apply a residual insecticide, like a permethrin-based spray.
   • Note that this is toxic to cats, so you must keep cats away from the area until the spray is 100% dry.
4. Allow everything to dry completely before goats re-enter.

Repeat this process after the second treatment of the goats to ensure any surviving mites are eradicated.

Permethrin vs. Pyrethrin: What Should You Use?

Many goat owners turn to insecticidal sprays to clean their barns during a mite outbreak. Two common types of insecticides are pyrethrin and permethrin, and understanding the difference between them is important:

Pyrethrin:

• Natural insecticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers
• Biodegrades quickly, especially in sunlight and moisture
• Kills only on direct contact (no residual effect)

Permethrin:

• Synthetic version of pyrethrin
• Provides residual protection for days to weeks
• More effective at preventing reinfestation

Because Chorioptes mites can hide in crevices and return later, permethrin is generally more effective in treating goat housing areas. Look for a livestock-safe permethrin concentrate that you can dilute and spray onto surfaces after removing bedding. Just be sure animals are out of the area until the spray dries.

Avoid using diatomaceous earth (DE) in enclosed spaces. While it’s often promoted for parasite control, DE can irritate lungs and eyes when airborne and is not effective against mites.

Preventing Reinfestation

Once you’ve treated your goats and environment, keep an eye out for lingering signs of irritation or scratching. Reinfestation can happen if just a few mites survive. Here are some prevention tips:

• Quarantine any new animals for at least 3 weeks before introducing them to your herd.
• Clean kidding areas between does.
• Practice good ventilation in your barn to reduce humidity.
• Keep bedding clean and dry.
• If one goat shows symptoms, consider treating the whole herd.

Final Thoughts

Chorioptes mites can be a disheartening challenge, especially when your goats are clearly uncomfortable and the symptoms seem to linger. But with a strategic approach—treating the goats, supporting skin healing, and thoroughly cleaning the environment—you can eliminate these pests and restore comfort to your herd.

If you’re dealing with stubborn skin issues in your goats, don’t assume it’s just dry winter skin, especially when signs persist or spread. The sooner you get started with proper treatment, the better your goats will feel.

If you’re looking for more help with parasite management or skin conditions in goats, consider joining our Goats 365 membership community where you get year-round guidance, live Q&A sessions, and support from other goat owners and experts.

Related Resources

• External Parasites in Goats
• Mites in Goats
• Goats in Winter
• Quarantining New Animals
• Dewormer Resistance in Goats
• Milk and Meat Withdrawal in Goats Following Drug Use