Survival and retention of infectivity of the mite Psoroptes ovis off the host

Psoroptes ovis mites were removed from infected sheep and placed in positions where wool and mites normally accumulate during sheep scab outbreaks. The ambient temperature and humidity were monitored over a 3-week period and the survival and infectivity times were examined. The procedure was carried out during each of the seasons. The hatchability of mite eggs was also examined. It was found that little variation occurred between seasons, with mites regularly retaining viability and infectivity for 15 days during all seasons. Mites that survived for more than 16 days failed to infect sheep. Mite eggs retained hatchability for up to 7 days.