Elector PSP for Chickens: The Mite treatment we wish we'd found sooner
- Jun 9
- 6 min read
If you've kept chickens for any length of time, you've probably learned an unfortunate truth:
You can do everything right and still end up with mites.
We've dealt with our fair share of poultry challenges here at On Our Own Homestead. Between raising chickens in Florida's heat and humidity, managing multiple coops, and constantly bringing in supplies, equipment, and occasionally new birds, we've learned that external parasites are simply part of the homesteading journey.
The good news? Not all mite treatments are created equal.
After years of hearing other poultry keepers rave about it, we gave Elector PSP a try... and honestly, now we understand the hype.
What exactly is Elector PSP?
Elector PSP is a concentrated insecticide that contains Spinosad, a naturally derived compound originally discovered in soil bacteria. Now, before anyone panics at the word "insecticide," it's important to understand that Elector PSP isn't like the harsh chemicals many chicken keepers try to avoid. When used according to the label, it has become one of the most trusted products available for controlling poultry mites and lice.
In the chicken world, it has developed something of a cult following. Mention a stubborn mite infestation in a poultry group and chances are someone will immediately respond:
"Get Elector."
The day we realized we had a mite problem
One of the most frustrating things about mites is that they often go unnoticed until the infestation is already well underway. Maybe egg production starts dropping. Maybe a hen looks a little ragged around the vent. Maybe you notice a bird scratching more than usual.
Then one evening you grab a flashlight, inspect a roost bar, and discover you've apparently been unknowingly operating a five-star resort for parasites.
It's a rite of passage most chicken keepers could happily skip.
Why mites matter
A few mites may not seem like a big deal, but they can quickly become a serious problem.
Heavy infestations can lead to:
Stress
Feather loss
Skin irritation
Weight loss
Reduced egg production
Anemia
Increased susceptibility to illness
In severe cases, especially with northern fowl mites, chickens can become surprisingly debilitated.
When you're trying to raise healthy birds, every ounce of energy your chickens spend fighting parasites is energy they're not putting into laying eggs, growing, or simply being chickens.
So what does Elector PSP treat?
Elector PSP is primarily used to treat external parasites in chickens. It is highly effective against:
✅ Northern Fowl Mites
The most common and damaging mite found on chickens. These mites live on the bird full-time and are usually concentrated around the vent area.
✅ Poultry Red Mites (Chicken Mites)
These mites hide in the coop during the day and feed on chickens at night. They can rapidly infest roosts, nest boxes, and cracks in the coop.
✅ Scaly Leg Mites
Microscopic mites that burrow under the scales on a chicken's legs, causing raised scales, crusting, and thickened skin.
✅ Chicken Lice
Elector PSP is also effective against several species of chewing lice that live on poultry and feed on feathers and skin debris.
✅ Other External Insect Pests
Depending on the specific situation, Elector PSP may also help control:
Fleas
Certain beetles
Other external crawling pests found in poultry housing
What Elector PSP Does NOT Treat
Elector PSP is not a dewormer and will not treat internal parasites such as:
❌ Roundworms
❌ Cecal worms
❌ Gapeworms
❌ Tapeworms
❌ Internal protozoa like coccidia
What makes Elector PSP different?
We've tried enough poultry products over the years to know that marketing claims and real-world performance don't always match. Elector PSP stands out because it simply works.
It kills more than just what you can see
One of the biggest frustrations with powders and dusts is that they often require direct contact with every single parasite.
Elector PSP is far more effective at reaching the areas where mites actually live.
That means you're not spending weeks playing an endless game of "spray, wait, repeat, hope."
It doesn't leave birds looking like fried Chicken
Anyone who's ever coated a chicken in oil or dust knows exactly what we're talking about.
After treatment, birds don't look greasy, caked in powder, or like they lost a fight with a flour sack.
It saves time
And let's be honest... most homesteaders don't have enough of that! When you've got gardens to weed, animals to feed, eggs to collect, and projects that somehow multiply overnight, the last thing you need is a treatment protocol that takes all day.
How we use Elector PSP
The first rule is simple:
Always follow the label directions.
Seriously. Read them.
Then read them again!
Elector PSP is a concentrate, so proper mixing matters.
If you purchase the 10ml Bottle from us, here is how we use it:
Shake Bottle well.
Immediately before use, dilute the entire bottle (10 ml) of Elector PSP in one gallon of water (or 45 drops of Elector PSP for a 16 oz spray bottle if you need less). One Gallon will treat at least 50 Chickens.
Add to Spray Bottle.
Once diluted, we use a sprayer to thoroughly treat the birds, paying special attention to:
Around the vent
Under the wings
Base of the tail feathers
Areas where mites tend to congregate
Apply to each chicken in the flock. Be sure to wet the feathers and skin around the vents, as well as the wings. We spray our entire birds.
If you need to treat your coop as well, be sure to thoroughly clean it before applying Elector PSP.
With Elector PSP, there is no "egg or meat hold back" period, and it will not affect the Chicken's eggs or meat.
Usually we do this with two people and one of us holding the chicken while the other applies the spray, but if you are on a solo mission, here is how Chris does it by gently tying the chickens legs together temporarily to ensure she can get into all of the spots before the Chicken decides it's over the process and takes off before you're totally done. You do not have to do this of course, but this is what works for us and keeps our Chickens less stressed throughout the process because they are not flapping around trying to get away and thus doubling the time it takes us to address the problem. We promise, no Chickens were harmed in the making of this video!
But here's the part many people miss:
Don't Forget the Coop
Treating only the chickens is like mopping the floor while the sink is still overflowing.
Mites don't spend all their time on birds.
They hide in:
Roost bars
Nest boxes
Cracks in wood
Coop corners
Bedding
If you're not treating the coop, you're probably going to see the problem return.
Whenever we're dealing with mites, we treat both the birds and their environment.
What about scaly leg mites?
Scaly leg mites are one of those poultry problems that make you cringe the first time you see them.
The mites burrow beneath the scales on a chicken's legs, causing:
Raised scales
Thickening
Crusty buildup
Irritation
Elector PSP has been used successfully by many chicken keepers as part of a treatment plan for scaly leg mites.
Just remember that even after the mites are gone, the legs won't magically look normal overnight. Damaged scales need time to grow out and heal. Patience is part of the process.
Is Elector PSP worth the cost?
This is probably the most common question we hear. Yes, it's expensive. There's no sugarcoating that. The first time you see the price tag, you may briefly consider just moving and giving the coop to the mites. But because it's a concentrate, a bottle goes a surprisingly long way.
When you consider:
The health of your flock
The time saved
The reduced stress
The effectiveness
Many chicken keepers find it far more economical than repeatedly buying cheaper products that never completely solve the problem.
Our Homestead take on this
We don't recommend products lightly. There's a lot of gimmicky stuff in the poultry world.
Elector PSP isn't magic, and it's not a substitute for good coop management. Clean housing, regular inspections, and healthy birds are still your first line of defense.
But when mites show up... and eventually they probably will... Elector PSP is one of the few products that consistently earns the reputation it has among chicken keepers. Sometimes the best homesteading lesson is simply learning what works and what doesn't.
Elector PSP falls firmly into the "works" category.
And if you've ever spent an evening chasing mites around a coop with a flashlight, you'll understand exactly why that's worth every penny.
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