I think it has to be submerged in water for quite awhile for Ph to change enough to produce lye. Just getting wet in the rain is not going to do that or we'd hear a lot more about it as many folks have birds dusting in the fire pit.Just saw a YouTube video that said pure wood ash is good but then they turned around and said "if it gets wet - it makes lye and that will burn their feet!"
We have a fire pit but only burn hardwood in it...no chems to start the fires, and now I'm afraid to use the wood ash.
Anyone out there know if this video was wrong or was he referring to wood ash that has treated lumber or other chems in it? If this is going to burn my girls' feet - I've got to remove it ASAP! Thanks folks!
Linda in NC
6/24/17
ETA...don't over do the permethrin or other pesticides, it can create resistance. 2 treatments 7-10 days between should suffice. If you have the mites that live in coop structure, and only feed after dark, the coop needs to be treated also.