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Bug bites on us ...

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by olivesmom, May 26, 2008.

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  1. May 26, 2008 #1
    olivesmom

    olivesmom In the Brooder

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    May 2, 2008
    Hello,

    We have three baby chicks. They are about a week from going outside. Just about the time they came home we started to get bug bites. At first I thought our dogs might have fleas (though we have lived in Phoenix for 4 years and never had any it seemed like the most obvious option) I washed the dogs and we kept being bitten. Then about a week ago I saw a tiny little mite looking think about the size of a dot (.) walking away. When I squished it I noticed it was filled with blood. I then found about 4 more. I have washed everything from the down mattress cover to the sheets. We also have a Pottery Barn sofa that has removable linen cover ... I took it all off and washed it. I still found 2 tiny bugs ... I am wondering if this has anything to do with the chickens and if so what should I do?

    Thanks,
    Charlotte
    Olives Mom
     
  2. May 26, 2008 #2
    FrontPorchIndiana

    FrontPorchIndiana Songster

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    Hmm, don't know. [​IMG] Have you seen any bugs near or on the chickens?
     
  3. May 26, 2008 #3
    LynneP

    LynneP Songster

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    Are you using diatomacious earth (DE) in the coop? I hope others will know if louse powder like Sevin can be used at this age.

    For the house and coop, consider a no-pest strip. Some brands are Vapona, Black Flag and Home Hardware. They contain pyrethins and you can hang above the roost, out of their reach. Avoid using above food/water, for pets, poultry or humans.

    These strips will also rid a room of fleas and they last 3 months.
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2008
  4. May 26, 2008 #4
    Cetawin

    Cetawin Chicken Beader

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    Mites will be reddish brown in color usually whereas fleas are black.

    Try using some food grade DE...it should take care of them.

    EDIT: I can find no information about cases of bird mites affecting people, everything I can find says they do not affect humans.
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2008
  5. May 26, 2008 #5
    inudat12

    inudat12 In the Brooder

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    NorthCentral Ohio
  6. May 26, 2008 #6
    Cheryl

    Cheryl Songster

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    Do exactly what with DE? Dust the coop, dust the birds, feed it too them...how much for 10 pounds of feed? I have the right stuff, I've never used it!
     
  7. May 26, 2008 #7
    nutmeggie

    nutmeggie Songster

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    Now I'm freaked out about bed bugs after looking at that article. Just like when I found one tick on me the other day, for two days I felt like they were crawling all over me. Yuck.
     
  8. May 26, 2008 #8
    tiffanyh

    tiffanyh Songster

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    Sounds like mites....pretty common. I have adults bird I suspected had it recently...I use IVOMEC injectable. You feed store might have something to. Personally, I would use something stronger than just DE. I use it for control in my coops but once they have them, I (IMO) would trust them to take care of them all together. Your in a tough spot though since they are little...

    Oh...and give them dust(dirt) to bath in. That helps control mites also, they like to dig around in it and they use it as a natural mite control
     
  9. May 27, 2008 #9
    Cetawin

    Cetawin Chicken Beader

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    Quote:Dust the coop, the birds, let them dust bathe in it, put a little in their food as help with worming. Food grade is safe enough for you to eat daily too.

    If the coop is already infested, I would use some mite dust to kill them and the eggs off first and then use the DE as a maintenance.
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2008
  10. May 27, 2008 #10
    Chick_a_dee

    Chick_a_dee Songster

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    I'm not sure if birds can get them, but if it was white in colour, and almost looked like dandruff then they're called walking dandruff, and can be killed with i believe ivermectin or something, but again... I don't think birds can get those particular mites.
     
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