Is DE worth it?

[dfgkfghggfasd]

I recently was informed that I had mites when trying to sell some of my roosters.
Everybody has so far recommended that I use Diatomaceous Earth.
However, after reading some reviews I have gained mixed reviews.

 

[21hens-incharge]

DE comes with risks to more than just the chickens lungs.
YOUR lungs can be affected too.

It is a very fine powder and becomes airborne very easily. The birds get exposed repeatedly when they get off the roosts or scratch around in a coop that has this in the bedding.

Once airborne it floats outside and is harmful to bees as well as other beneficial insects.

Then there is the human exposure when tending the birds or cleaning the coop.

For me the risks far out weigh the UNPROVEN effectiveness in a coop.

 

[Folly's place]

Coops are dusty enough without adding DE, which is really nasty for anyone to inhale.
It's also mined in miserable conditions, for the environment and the people working there. Look it up!
Mary

 

[DobieLover]

I recently was informed that I had mites when trying to sell some of my roosters.
Everybody has so far recommended that I use Diatomaceous Earth.
However, after reading some reviews I have gained mixed reviews.

No!
Use 10% permethrin and dilute it according to the label. Clean out and spray the coop thoroughly and spray all birds under each wing, under the belly and around the vent.
Repeat all again in 10-14 days

 

[Compost King]

If you prefer a dust like DE you can get Permethrin in a dust form. https://www.fertilome.com/product/garden-pet-and-livestock-dust-4-lbs After I spray down a coop once a year and add new straw (or what ever bedding) I throw down Live stock dust in the bedding to get all the little critters that hatch after the spray dries up.

 

[cmom]

DE didn't work for me and Elector PSP is great but very expensive that is why I use permethrin. It works and costs way less. I had mites and a lot of flies. I used permethrin concentrate, mixed it with water in a sprayer and sprayed in the coops thoroughly. With the mites, it does not kill the mite eggs so repeat spraying is necessary. There is no egg withdrawal period. To my surprise was it also eliminated most of the flies. I have way less flies now. If you have a TSC they carry the permethrin powder, premixed spray bottles and the concentrate.

 

[Folly's place]

I use permethrin spray concentrate, and some permethrin dust on the floor. It works fine, and is way less $$$ that spinosad.
Mary

 

[Compost King]

If you do not have TSC or other livestock type of store Garden shops often carry Livestock dust as I posted before. Its often cheaper at Garden Shops too.

 

[marcglider]

I have also heard/read the lung cancer issue but their life expectancy would negate that problem as you said... I guess I could really get anal and use reverse osmosis water for them...

 

[Shezadandy]

I recently was informed that I had mites when trying to sell some of my roosters.
Everybody has so far recommended that I use Diatomaceous Earth.
However, after reading some reviews I have gained mixed reviews.

You can try Elector PSP to spray your coop/roosts, under roosts, every corner, nest boxes, etc. If you have hay or straw in your nest boxes or as bedding, that might be where the mites came in and/or are presently hiding. Elector PSP is pricey, but a tiny amount (mixed with water) goes a LONG way. Takes about 2-3 days to kill the mites- but then works for a good long time. Permethrin dust as mentioned in other posts to treat the birds themselves.

As for DE, I agree with the NO DE -- this is a helpful article:

https://the-chicken-chick.com/the-cut-dry-truth-about-diatomaceous/