DD's upcoming show, found lice/mites for the first time, want to use Sevin but I'm pregnant! Soluti

[lceh]

9 year old DD has shown her birds for a few years now, and has one of her two annual shows coming up in a month. Lo and behold, she pulled out one of her birds today and yuck!! Scabby, gross vent and white specks in the underfluff. About a year ago we moved and we now have free-ranging birds, and while her show birds are in a separate "tractor" coop I'm sure they get exposed to mites, etc. whenever we move it to new ground.

Anyway, there are 2 issues here: (1) If we treat with Sevin immediately, do you think she can clear the problem up in time for a May 12 show? (This is a "small potatoes" local show, not a big one); and (2) I'm pregnant and not eager to be handling Sevin. If I put a dusting box in the coop with fresh dirt and some Sevin, will the birds dust themselves effectively enough to clear up the infestation, or is it really completely necessary to work it through the feathers by hand? I can see sprinkling it in the coop without inhaling too much, but working it through the feathers means a lot of skin contact for me too. I may be able to get DH to do it, but he's not at all a "chicken guy" and I'm not super confident in his thoroughness.

Thanks for any advice you can give. DD looks forward to these 2 shows all year long and will be devastated if she's not able to go.

 

[klmclain1]

WEAR A MASK AND GLOVES! Protect yourself and your baby. Then shower! First, though, I'd wash all the birds in Dawn and warm water. Rinse thoroughly, dry (mine love the hair dryer) - I'd do it outside just because I do NOT like the idea of that stuff in my house! Silly I know. Anyway, then I'd definitely put on a mask and gloves and get the dusting done - then take a thorough shower and wash your hair too.

Oh, and I'd give my OB a quick call to make sure the precautions are sufficient! Outside all that - you may have to trust hubby....but you could do the bathing first to get the ball rolling!

 

[lceh]

Thanks! I've done some poking around and talked to an experienced show breeder, and I think we'll go the Frontline route with the show birds. We only have a few, and I don't mind pitching their eggs for a while (I'd be a lot more hesitant with the laying flock). My husband can definitely manage to get 3 drops of Frontline on a bird, so I won't have to deal with it at all. He's already used to doing the dog and cat.

 

[klmclain1]

As long as it's a blood-sucking bug, you should be fine. I hope everything looks great in time for showing!