how to dust for mites

[Leah S]

ok, I just got some "dust" for my girls and their coop. How do I do it? does the whole coop need to be cleaned, bedding and such removed and then dusted, or just douse the whole thing the way it is? do i do all the girls, or just the one who is showing signs of mites? this is my first time dealing with motes, thanks!

 

[mickey328]

What kind of "dust" did you get? You definitely need to treat them all as well as the coop. I use DE and a shaker type bottle (an old Parmesan cheese container). Wear a mask (cuz inhaling is bad) and sprinkle a little on the backs of their necks, shoulder blades. I work it down to the skin if I can. I also sprinkle on their bedding...as they scratch and work it around, it'll get into their feathers. It's not an "overnight" fix but will work and will keep all sorts of pests at bay.

 

[kkowa]

first thing first take all ur girls out of the coop and dust them all even if you think a few dont have mites they may to this hold them by their legs upside down it helps to have 2 people MAKE SURE TO COVER VENT!!!!! if you get the dust in the vent your girls may become infertiel and dust good by the vent and every where eles i did this evey other week till the mites were gone and i now dust my flock ever month. next clean out your whole coop when we had mites we used 1/10cup ratio of bleach and water scrubed everything down even waters and feeders. next let everything air dry and then put your bedding down and i put some dust on the top not much though and non in the nest boxes i also in their dust bathing spot i put alittle powder their and mix it in.good luck

 

[Leah S]

I got Prozap, .25% permethrin. looksliek i will be cleaning the coop! it needed to be done anyways.

 

[mickey328]

Good point, kkowa...I'd forgotten to mention the dust bath.

 

[Leah S]

just finished cleaning and went crazy dusting the coop. Too bad it did not stay clean as the first of girls in pooped all over (sigh). they are all out and ranging. going to get them when they come home to roost with the hubby. tried kind of throwing it on them, but that totally freaked them out! will add to their bath area. they have no clue what's going on, poor things.
Now, I have not actually seen any of these creepy crawlies, not even while cleaning the coop (was looking for them). is it possible that it is not full blown infestation? how often should I do this? Is DE worth getting as far as preventing this again?

 

[kkowa]

i dusted my girls every 2 weekes till the bugs were gone also one of the poultry ladys by me saide to go get mite flee and tick shampoo and bath ur girls in that and then after they dry dust again and dont worry bout your coop being dirty just dust it 1-2 times a week or clean it out its up too you

 

[kkowa]

no its probly not a full blown infection and with de its up too you u wont need it if u keep your girls up to date with dusting