A Mitey big problem with my Canaries.

[LostGosling]

I have been trying to breed canaries for about a year now. Every time that I let them set, I have Mites running out my ears! They almost killed my first batch of chicks! I bought some Scalex, and have been spraying twice a week, but they won't go away. The poison keeps them to a minimum, but I had one on my arm this morning after uncovering the cages. Grrrr. We have like 15 birds and have NEVER had Mite problems until we got Canaries. Are they just really prone to them, or did the selling out breeder who I bought them from give me Mites? He never mentioned anything about Mite problems, but of course, he wanted all those bird gone as soon as possible and it's kind of a turn off when someone selling birds says "Gee I love these birds but they have bugs all the time!". So, my questions are: Are Canaries just mite ridden little birds or did they bring them over from their last facilities? And, will I ever get the mites under control again or am I just stuck with them forever? Please help!

 

[Judy]

The best cure in chickens is Sevin 5% garden dust. I think I'd chance it if I were having this problem.

 

[birdboy508]

the guy that sold them to you probably gave you the mites.

 

[LostGosling]

Grrrr, I thought that might be the case. Thank-you birdboy. And ddawn, I'm afraid to use the Sevin 5% Garden dust because the Canaries are in my bed room. Thank-you for the suggestion though.

I use that stuff on my chickens all the time.

 

[rsepiphyte]

Canaries for the most part are not mite ridden. I use a drop of Ivermectin under the wing of each bird every 3 months just to be on the safe side and i never buy used cages. Once infested with mites they are so hard to get rid of. You are going to have to clean and sterilize those cages and get new perches as well as treat your birds. Sorry you are having to go through this. Ruth

 

[LostGosling]

Quote:
I have never, ever, had mite problems before I bought those canaries from that guy. What makes it so bad, is that he dispersed a flock of over 200 mite infested birds into the general public.

So now everybody has them

I have been spraying everything (perch ends, bird blankets, under and in the cages, the cage stand, around the cage stand, etc) with Scalex for months now. I had just thought that I finally had them under control. I hadn't seen a mite in two weeks. I gave them Quiko:Special Red Egg Food for 2 days and now they're back in full force. I haven't been able to spray the nest (which is where the majority of the mites are) because there is a chick in it right now, so Mom put Diatamacious Earth all over it. Do mites have a special fedish for color food? It seem like every time I give them that stuff the mite population booms.

 

[rsepiphyte]

Mite infestation is such a tremendous problem. Once there you have to be very vigilant in sterilizing the cages and treating the birds. I would treat all of the birds with a drop of Ivermectin under the wings (including chicks, i have done this before with my Parisian Frills with no problems with the chicks) then really clean those cages and if possible just get new ones and start over. You will have to get rid of the nests and nesting material, anything that is in contact with the mites had to be cleaned or destroyed. I wish i had an easier answer for you. Ruth

 

[rsepiphyte]

I also meant to add i never use dairy products with my canaries as their digestive systems are not meant to handle protein from animal sources only protein from vegetable sources. I make my own seed mix and nesting food .Ruth