Home remedies for gapes!

The life cycle of the gapeworm is similar to that of the cecal worm; the parasite can be transmitted when birds eat embryonated worm eggs or earthworms containing the gapeworm larvae. The female worm lays eggs in the trachea, the eggs are coughed up, swallowed, and pass out in the droppings. Within eight to fourteen days the eggs embryonate and are infective when eaten by birds or earthworms. The earthworm, snails and slugs serve as primary intermediate hosts for the gapeworm. Gapeworms in infected earthworms remain viable for four and a half years while those in snails and slugs remain infective for one year. After being consumed by the bird, gapeworm larvae hatch in the intestine and migrate from the intestine to the trachea and lungs.

The parasite can be controlled by strict sanitation. If the birds are confined, clean the house thoroughly and completely before a new group is brought in. Segregate birds by age groups, with particular care applied to sanitation of young birds. If birds are on range, use a clean range for each group of birds.

I have not had any experience with gapeworm. However, I read that if the gapeworm was seen at the back of the bird's mouth, you could remove them. HOWEVER, you would only be removing the worms in the throat of the bird, not the intestine, trachea or lungs....

Remove worms with oiled feather (4 drops eucalyptus oil into 1/2 pint cold-pressed, filtered castor oil)

Personally, I would prefer eucalyptus oil and caster oils being wiped in my throat over the turpentine and vaseline.​