Hi everyone,
My husband went to put our beautiful girls to bed last night, and found their faces to be covered in tiny black bugs. These are the first poultry we've ever kept, and we've had them about 5 months. I immediately Googled, and can confirm they are definitely Stick Tight Fleas/Poultry Fleas.
The first thing I did was went and bought petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and smothered over the fleas on their poor faces. It was too late at night to empty their coop, and I had nowhere else to put them, but I am cleaning the coop today. I have checked them this morning, and some but not all of the bugs have fell off. I will try again.
I had a few questions, and was hoping for some support from you BYCers. Have you dealt with poultry fleas before, and what worked for you?
Here are my concerns - the hens bedding covers a dirt floor. I know a dirt floor is not ideal, but I am using a large coop that was already constructed when I bought the house. I hear the fleas like dirt?
What do you treat the birds and coop with? My nearest pet store sells Pestene Lice & Mite Powder, and also Diatomaceous Earth. I have heard good and bad things about DE, so I'm not sure about it? I've heard people say it can be unsafe and harmful to breathe?
Also, can the fleas transfer to you?
I have read some other great advice on BYC already (like the Vaseline), but I would appreciate any advice on helping my girls! Thank you.
My husband went to put our beautiful girls to bed last night, and found their faces to be covered in tiny black bugs. These are the first poultry we've ever kept, and we've had them about 5 months. I immediately Googled, and can confirm they are definitely Stick Tight Fleas/Poultry Fleas.
The first thing I did was went and bought petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and smothered over the fleas on their poor faces. It was too late at night to empty their coop, and I had nowhere else to put them, but I am cleaning the coop today. I have checked them this morning, and some but not all of the bugs have fell off. I will try again.
I had a few questions, and was hoping for some support from you BYCers. Have you dealt with poultry fleas before, and what worked for you?
Here are my concerns - the hens bedding covers a dirt floor. I know a dirt floor is not ideal, but I am using a large coop that was already constructed when I bought the house. I hear the fleas like dirt?
What do you treat the birds and coop with? My nearest pet store sells Pestene Lice & Mite Powder, and also Diatomaceous Earth. I have heard good and bad things about DE, so I'm not sure about it? I've heard people say it can be unsafe and harmful to breathe?
Also, can the fleas transfer to you?
I have read some other great advice on BYC already (like the Vaseline), but I would appreciate any advice on helping my girls! Thank you.