Has anyone here tried Beneficial Nematodes?

[MaeIstrom]

I've been wrestling with stickfast fleas for about 3 years now and there seems to be a dormant corner of my pen where re-infections occur after months of having the main flock flea-free. Unfortunately it's the only place I have to put broodies with young chicks to keep them safe from the main flock and other predators and my suspicions were confirmed when a broody placed there came down with the fleas while the rest of the flock is unaffected. I've recently found what looks to be a miracle cure in the form of beneficial nematodes, these little sci-fi monsters live in the soil and track down the fleas in their larval stage through carbon dioxide trails, enter the fleas body, kill it and lay their eggs in it. After a few days a 100 more nematodes hatch from the body and go on to hunt more fleas. After all the fleas are gone they will starve to death and leave the affected area clean of fleas and nematodes. It sounds amazing to someone who's tried every way in the book and then some to eradicate fleas but the only drawback is the soil needs to be kept constantly damp with daily watering for the duration and while that's no problem in the main coop where the birds perch on roosts and lay in elevated nestboxes I don't really like the idea of mother hens and baby chicks nestling in constantly damp soild or damp hay. My current plan of attack is to dampen the soil each night then put a little dry hay on top where the hen sleeps, which will no doubt be kicked and spread all over the place the next day and repeat the next night. Otherwise I could try a slightly elevated wood platform with a nesting bos for the hen to sleep in but my worry there is between the bedding and faeces in the next box that might be enough of a home for a small colony of fleas to survive in. I've read the fleas "live" in bedding despite burrowing into the soil and it would certainly explain why this pen can lie dormant for several months then suddenly explode with fleas as soon as chicks are put in there despite being flea-free before they go in. Has anyone else used nematodes and have hints on the best way to apply? If anyone's curious you can read more at https://ecogrow.com.au/product/flea/ - they only deliver to Australia but I'm sure there's suppliers on other countries. I'll update on how it goes.

 

[Debbie292d]

They are used in gardens a lot. In fact, if you type nematodes in the search here, you'll find 3/4 of the posts about them are about using them in the yard and garden.

Here's a post though a little more relevant to chickens.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...for-organic-pest-control.994034/post-15471585

 

[heygrizzy]

Do you have an update on how you’re going with the nematodes?
We have stickfast in our run and used nematodes but had lots of 38-40c days so even with constant watering I think they must’ve been cooked in the soil.
I think the fleas have reduced since using the nematodes but they are relentless!

 

[heygrizzy]

Do you have an update on how you’re going with the nematodes?
We have stickfast in our run and used nematodes but had lots of 38-40c days so even with constant watering I think they must’ve been cooked in the soil.
I think the fleas have reduced since using the nematodes but they are relentless!

Just noticed you’re from Perth too!

 

[MaeIstrom]

Hi yes it *seems* to have worked as I've not seen any more since the treatment although I maintained ivermectin treatments to be doubly safe. I'm actually down in Albany atm which is a bit cooler and I applied my second treatment at the start of a rainy week so you might have better luck doing it in winter. I'm also a little skeptical they can survive being posted from the eastern states with an ice bag in the package given they're supposed to kept refrigerated at all times.
Until winter comes I suggest getting 250ml of Ausmectin Cattle Pour-on (which is skin absorbed ivermectin) and applying 3-4 drops from an eye dropper on the comb or any exposed skin of larger birds, 2-3 drops for bantams and 1-2 drops for chicks. It makes their blood poisonous to the fleas and you should see all the fleas drop off in 3-4 days. If not repeat with a stronger dose.
Repeat every month and don't worry about not eating the eggs for 2 weeks. Everyone I've talked to down here does this and noone's had any ill effects. One old-timer from the poultry club told me "dose 'em every month and after 2-3 years you won't have any" and he's the guy that takes all the unwanted roosters from the Auctions so a good source. The Ausmectin should be $70-$80 dollars but it will last you for at least a year unlike buying the dog/cat treatments with are like $50 for 5ml

 

[heygrizzy]

Hi yes it *seems* to have worked as I've not seen any more since the treatment although I maintained ivermectin treatments to be doubly safe. I'm actually down in Albany atm which is a bit cooler and I applied my second treatment at the start of a rainy week so you might have better luck doing it in winter. I'm also a little skeptical they can survive being posted from the eastern states with an ice bag in the package given they're supposed to kept refrigerated at all times.
Until winter comes I suggest getting 250ml of Ausmectin Cattle Pour-on (which is skin absorbed ivermectin) and applying 3-4 drops from an eye dropper on the comb or any exposed skin of larger birds, 2-3 drops for bantams and 1-2 drops for chicks. It makes their blood poisonous to the fleas and you should see all the fleas drop off in 3-4 days. If not repeat with a stronger dose.
Repeat every month and don't worry about not eating the eggs for 2 weeks. Everyone I've talked to down here does this and noone's had any ill effects. One old-timer from the poultry club told me "dose 'em every month and after 2-3 years you won't have any" and he's the guy that takes all the unwanted roosters from the Auctions so a good source. The Ausmectin should be $70-$80 dollars but it will last you for at least a year unlike buying the dog/cat treatments with are like $50 for 5ml

Ahh thank you so much. That’ll be my next plan of attack. Very jealous you’re in Albany, such a beautiful place to live. 40 here tomorrow Thanks again for your advice.

 

[AGeese]

I have used nematodes for my lawn, edit: I used predatory mites for the chickens.