How do you treat for mites?

[Alleyoops25]

My duaghter and I were out playing with the chickens and I noticed that a couple of them, (probably all of them) have mites. This is the first time I have dealt with this since I was about 8 or 9 years old. IS there any suggestions on a cheap, sure fire cure to get rid of the mites?

 

[DuckLady]

Initially, we use poultry dust and dust all the chickens at night when they are on the roost and easy to catch. It also gives the powder a chance to work while they are sleeping. We grab one, hold her upside down and powder wingpit-wingpit-vent-neck and put her back on the roost.
Then to maintain, we use DE to dust the bedding and stir it in. We redust when it gets out of hand again.

 

[Alleyoops25]

So if I go into a feed store and ask fo this stuff they will know what I am asking for? Does this stuff also kill Ticks. The reason why I ask is it is tick season here, and I wouldnt be a bit surpised to find one on them.

 

[DuckLady]

Yes, they feed store should know what you need. As for ticks...I don't know. I don't think we have them here in Oregon much.

 

[eggchel]

There is a brand called Ectoban livestock dust. I have trouble with the dusting type treatments due to asthma..... and an aversion to dusting myself, lol.

 

[rufus]

For what it is worth, my mother used to put the cold ashes from the wood stove in the chicken yard where the hens took their dust baths. She said it kept the bugs off of them. I am not sure if it worked, but our birds never had bugs. Maybe we were just lucky, or maybe it really worked. Ashes are free, and not dangerous like chemicals. Try it, what have you got to lose.

Rufus

 

[jessupfamily]

As everyone probably knows by now, I'm a huge fan of DE! We don't use anything synthetic , made from chemicals, or harmful to the chickens or us or any animals (our goats, dog, or cats, etc...)including wild birds who eat the worms and share the space with our chickens.It has worked time and time again! (And for a lot of people I know as well).

WHAT IS DIATOMACEOUS EARTH? Diatomaceous earth (DE) contains the fossil remains of diatoms, a type of algae which produces skeletons made of non-crystalline silica. Almost universally, the diatoms obtain silica from the volcanic ash which falls into the water in which the diatoms grow. Over time, these lakes have drained out, dried out, exposing volumes of these fossil remains, many feet deep. This material is now called diatomaceous earth.

HOW DOES IT WORK? This type of insect control is physical rather that chemical. The microscopic fossil damages the skin, joints and mouthparts of the insect and absorb body fluids. Insects die within one to two days from dehydration. Pests cannot and will not build up resistance to this method, which happens when using chemicals.

WHAT ARE THE USES? This EPA approved product is a NATURAL powerful insect killer. Can be applied to poultry as a dusting powder, used indoor/outdoor around the barn or house, anywhere area will stay dry. Effectively kills and controls ants, boxelder bugs, carpet beetles, crickets, earwigs, flies, mites, silverfish, slugs, snails, ticks, scorpions, almost any insects with a waxy coating will succumb to dehydration when the sharp dagger like points scratch it.

Amy J.

 

[jessupfamily]

Oh and for the ticks: Chickens will eat them before they attatch! But yes it works for ticks as well, just dust the yard and bedding. It's cheaper to buy in bulk! Ask any organic farmers (you can use it on your plants as well) or a local garden/farm store.
Amy J.

 

[Alleyoops25]

Thaqnks everyone for all the post and I think I will go out and see if I can find any DE stuff, if not then I will try the others. At any rate I need the mites gone and soon other wise I will Be figuring out how to get them off my kids Any way thanks agian!!!

 

[eggchel]

Be sure to get only Food Grade D.E.




Chel