Fighting mites while pregnant - worried about exposure to pesticides

[mountaintopchicken]

I'm dealing with a mite infestation right now, and it's terrible timing. I'm pregnant, due end of September. Ordinarily, I would use a pyrethrin or pyrethroid based product, spray the birds, spray the coops, clean all the coops, and perhaps do it again in a few weeks. But, I'm concerned about exposure to pesticides, especially since there has been a link found between maternal exposure to pyrethrins while pregnant and autism.

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O.K., so I can try non-toxic products like Poultry Protector, that's enzyme based, but those don't work as thoroughly and quickly, and will probably require totally cleaning out the coops and spraying them multiple times, and I'm getting so big that it's getting harder and harder for me to do this.

Frontline and Eprinex pour-on are off-label uses, and I wonder about residues of these products in the eggs, especially eating them while pregnant.

So far I have dipped all chickens in a mix of sulfur and soap - a recipe I found online. I think it's from Gail Damerow's Chicken Health Handbook. But I need to treat again soon. I'm going nuts trying to decide how to treat.

I really want to clear this up well before my delivery date so I don't have to worry about a newborn and mites at the same time!

 

[gumpsgirl]

Have you ever wormed your chickens? I know you are probably thinking that question is way off base and odd, but the reason I'm asking is you could kill to birds with one stone, so-to-speak.

If you will go to your local feed store and buy some ivomec Eprinex (this is a pour on cattle wormer for beef and dairy cows) you will be able to worm your chickens and kill the mites at the same time without exposing yourself to harmful chemicals. There shouldn't be any egg withdrawal time either as there is no slaughter or milk withdrawal time for the cattle. If you're worried about being pregnant and the wormer, you could always discard the eggs for a full egg cycle + a few days (10 + 2 days) You will apply 1/2 cc for standards and 1/4 cc for bantams to the back of each chickens neck and repeat 10 days later. I do this at night after they have gone to roost. That way I can keep track of who I've gotten and who I haven't. You should be able to get the syringes at your local pharmacy. Just tell them what you need them for. Get several as the syringes tend to start getting sticky inside from the wormer after about 3 or 4 uses.

As far as treating your coop goes, I would clean everything out (the whole coop along with the nesting boxes) and dust really good with food grade DE. Make sure you get every crack and the roosts, as the mites will be hiding in those places. You can buy a puffer bottle (a bottle that looks like those old fashioned red ketchup and yellow mustard bottles) at your local Lowe's or Home Depot to help you get the DE into the crevices and cracks. Be sure to wear a mask, as things will get dusty with the DE and it's not good to breath. There's not any chemicals in it, it's all fossilized shells that have been ground up and just isn't good for your lungs. I would also make the chickens a dusting hole (I use one of those green turtle sandboxes with the lid) adding sand, dirt, and DE. That way you shouldn't have to deal with the mites again. The chickens will dust themselves for you.

Hope this helps!

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Great info! One question though, with the Ivomec Eprinex. Is the .5cc used for standard chickens? Can it be used for bantams too? I do not have any mites as of now, but this seems great to keep on hand..
Thanks for the info!

 

[gumpsgirl]

You will use 1/2 cc (2.5 on the syringe) for bantams.

 

[Chickie Mamma]

I figured it would have been half, just wanted to make sure. Thanks again.
To the OP: Just be really careful with anything you use. Gloves and mask are always helpful. Is there someone that can clean the coop out really good. We had a high school boy do it for me while I was pregnant for a small price. Better safe than sorry

 

[mountaintopchicken]

Thanks for the help gumpsgirl! I have been seriously considering the Eprinex. I have used it on the past only on breeding roosters, because egg withdrawal isn't an issue and I don't plan to eat them. I have been searching the internet like crazy trying to find any info at all about using Eprinex on chickens re: withdrawals. But there is nothing at all from any kind of official study or official government source, it's like no one has studied the subject at all. I know there is zero withdrawal for beef and milk, but on the box it says something along the lines of "Warning, do not use on any animals besides beef and dairy cows, adverse reactions have occurred in other animals" (not a direct quote), making me wonder if it works differently in chickens than it does in cattle.

Seriously - I am not usually so paranoid about pesticides. In fact, I used to have to apply pesticides for my job and have been a licensed pesticide applicator in two states. But it's the pregnancy thing, you know?

Chickie Mamma- I think I can twist DH's arm to get him to help me with the heavy lifting part of cleaning the coop. Shop vac and scrubbing stuff I'll do myself. I always wear a mask for coop cleaning 'cause I have asthma.

 

[gumpsgirl]

No problem! I know that speckledhen uses it and so does hinkjc. They are the two that pointed me in the direction of this in particular wormer. It does work great, so I wouldn't hesitate to use it in your condition. I've had 5 children myself and do know what you're talking about with being pregnant.