How many treatments for mites ???

[sparky134]

I have treated my flock for mites 3 consecutive Mondays in a row. (dusting (3x) iver pour-on (2x) ). Is this enough? Do I need to treat for a few more weeks?? Should I dust on a monthly basis??

 

[saladin]

Mites are a hard thing to beat; especially if wild birds have access to where the chickens are at. This time of year (winter) most of us with free-range birds just try to keep them under control. Based on what you've said, I think you can safely move to once a month for now. Recognize though that they may be back: just keep and eye out for them

Also, alternate what you are using to treat them: Sevin, Malathion, Pyrethrin, Deet.... saladin

 

[Lollipop]

Gosh Sparky, that`s a lot. Ivermectin Pour On is a one shot deal. Dunno how you applied it, but I put a few drops at the base of the back of the neck while they are on the roost and that pretty well kills all the lice/mites for 6 months or so. You should dust the coop and run real good with Sevin dust. If they have leg mites, oil the roost with anykind of oil. Don`t overdo the Ivermectin. That`s some powerful stuff........Pop

 

[saladin]

Ivermectin helps but is not a for sure thing with external parasites as it applies to poultry. The Ivermectin pour-on works least of all with poultry external parasites.

If you decide to use Ivermectin buy the injectable form for cattle: then give it by mouth thru a syringe at the rate of 3 drops for a bantam and 5-10 drops for a large fowl (depends on the size of the lg. fowl).

Ivermectin is good for 3 months. saladin

 

[Lollipop]

Well, there ya go. Never too old to learn. I was goin by the lable and had the notion that Ivermectin Pour On was really strong stuff. All I can say is, it has worked well for me as noted and has rescued me in several infestations over many years. I don`t keep hundreds of birds anymore and don`t mind taking advice from those that do..........Pop

 

[saladin]

Pop,

Ivermectin for me is as close to a miracle drug as they come now-a-days/ for what it is. Mites are just tough little buggers. lol. At least these southern mites are! ha.

your neighbor, saladin

 

[sparky134]

Thanks for all the info..I did treat the coop before the first dusting. (sprayed all cracks with permethrin 10%, changed out the bedding, sprinkled DE and permethrin dust under new bedding) I had dusted the chooks with a permethrin product, next time I'll use sevin..They did not have scaley leg mites but I couldn't tell if they were mites or lice and I thought I'd dust and treat with iver pour-on just in case. I thought you had to do a double dose of the pour-on (7 day spans) for the eggs of the lice?? After inspecting them closer I definetly think it was lice due to the egg sacks on the feather shafts, I had read that the sacks will stay there until the next molt..My old bedding was straw now I put down wood shavings I'm wondering if the straw might have had the parasites in it. I just love the shavings so much easier to clean..Thanks again for your input like I had said I was just wondering if I can back off the dusting, which I think I will..

 

[saladin]

Pop,

Somehow I overlooked the 3x Ivermectin pour on in the first post: I just saw the dusting. My apologies! You are of course right on the money that is overkill taken to an extreme with the Ivermectin.
saladin

 

[Sissy]

How often do you use Sevin in the cold months.

 

[saladin]

Sissy,
I try to use some sort of insecticide about once a month: at least in the breed pens. If I see mites then I threat every 7 to 10 days for 3 times. I use a spray instead of dust as the dust makes my allergies go nuts. Supposedly, spray last longer, but I'm not sure it does; particulary, if it starts raining a lot. saladin