Bird Mites on Royal Palm

[maryclark17]

We just got a Royal Palm tom on Saturday. Come to find out he is LOADED with bird mites. We put DE on him. How long will it take to kill the mites and get rid of them. We like to hold him, but don't like the mites all over us.

 

[ivan3]

DE (amorphous diatomaceous earth) works slowly and effectiveness is greatest when used as a preventative (handful mixed into bedding/dirt bathing areas). The most common treatment is to use a dusting product (usually contains Sevin - Carbaryl ) this can be difficult to apply. Another option is Eprinomectin Cattle pour-on (.5-1cc applied to skin on upper back - will kill most external parasites and get most internal parasites - repeat treatment in 10 days). Other members have had good luck with Adams Tick and Flea spray.

A large dirt bathing area is the ideal adjunct to direct treatments (lots of wood ash and diatomaceous earth).