How dangerous are pyrethrins?

[Kat C]

If it kills insects, it's toxic! That's what it's for, and handling anything requires reading and following directions. Inhaling DE is really toxic!
Used as directed, permethrins are an excellent product for the chickens and their housing. There aren't 'non-toxic' insecticides!!!
Carbaryl is not approved for chickens in the USA, and it's 'more toxic' than permethrin anyway.
Cats don't manage pyrethrins well at all, so they need to be away from it until it's totally dry.
Mary

Thank you for noting DE is toxic. Give a bird dirt for dust baths. That is their normal way to handle parasites. Works.

 

[Kat C]

Thank you, ChickNanny13

I have "no see ums" (can't see them, even with tape test and microscope) in the coop and nothing else has helped so far

birds are getting worn out by this, trying something else even without proper ID seems reasonable at this point

thanks for your answer - yes, I think permethrins are pretty toxic and neurotoxic - I have a bottle to spray camping clothes and it says to spray while not wearing and allow to dry before wearing - not something you want on your skin

Why did you conclude no see ums?

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

good reminder about the cats - thanks!

Why did you conclude no see ums?

because I can't see anything - neither can the vet

 

[Kat C]

good reminder about the cats - thanks!


because I can't see anything - neither can the vet

Are you being bit or is this just still the problem of your chickens stomping? I have been around no see ums, you may not be able to see them but you sure know they are biting you. I suspect they would bite you before the chickens because us humans have a lot of nice exposed skin. If it is the stomping I am sure it is roost mites. During the day they hide in tiny cracks and you may just be missing them. How about taking some cooking oil and mixing it with water (2 cups water, 1 cup oil, 1 tablespoon dish soap) and spraying it liberally on the roosts and anywhere in the coop that has cracks they might be hiding in. If I am right and you do this several times a few days apart you should get rid of your problem without ever using any nasty chemicals. Old timers used to paint the roosts with used motor oil. It smothers them. I have done that but the Raid spray is easier.

BTW https://mountainx.com/opinion/commentary/bug_bites_the_lowdown_on_no-see-ums/ "You can actually see the no-see-ums, although they are very small — about the size of a sharp pencil point."

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Thanks, Kat C!

sigh - yeah - - I tried the Elector PSP - real expensive stuff that has worked for others and is labeled for the roost mites specifically - somehow I don't think that is it either

I wonder if it is a real bad case of the feather (quill) mites now - they have those but have had them in the past and never stomped with those - those are the devil to get rid off since they live inside the feather quill - only ivermectin has helped - and I had to repeat it three times every 10 days one year

other than that I have Pyrethrins powder and liquid concentrate, and the vet also suggested Front Line - even together with the ivermectin

I am afraid I am going to destroy the liver of my already weakened and thin birds - am between a rock and a hard place: if I don't treat I may lose them to parasites and if I treat I may lose them to toxicity

I am always afraid to use something on them I have never used before, like the Front Line and the pyrethrins

some of them are really close to my heart and I would if something happened to them

Dotty - the one that collapsed last week went to the vet yesterday with me and he is better today - yeah! - I am pretty sure he had a fever and it broke yesterday (before we got the vet appointment) and he got on his feet again today - but he is also super-thin

I have been feeding him Kaytee baby bird formula mixed with watermelon liquid - he didn't like me touching his face but he did drink the stuff once I got it inside his beak and pooped all over me today - hey!