Lice and mites in Ontario, Canada. How do we get rid of them?

[The_Flock]

Hi peeps. How do I get rid of lice on my chickens when I live in Ontario, Canada?? There are many. There may be mites too. So I'd love to hear about getting rid of them too. I hear of all these great products and then I go to order them and they're not allowed to be shipped here. I'd love to know what to give, other than DE because I do DE already.
I've heard of permethrin but I have outdoor cats and one who lives in the coop. And Ivermectin, but I don't know where to get it.
Thanks for all your help. I love being able to ask you awesome peeps this stuff. ❤

 

[Ted_Harrell]

You have a cat that lives in the coop?

 

[Folly's place]

Easiest and most effective (and least expensive) at least in the USA is permethrin spray concentrate. In very cold weather, permethrin dust may be best on the birds, and spray the entire coop.
Your cat will need to be confined away from the coop until the spray is dry, and any dust settles. I'd think that the spray might be safer on the birds too, rather than having the permethrin dust everywhere for your cat to get into it.
Spray, once dried, won't hurt the cat, unless he's actually eating it!
Spinosad is also very effective, and much $$$.
DE is a waste, and bad for everyone, including you, your cat, and your birds to inhale.
Permethrin toxicity in cats is both dose related, and an individual problem. Just keep him out of the coop for a day or two!
Lice or mites will kill your birds!!!
Mary

 

[The_Flock]

Does anybody use Ivomec for horses on chickens?

 

[The_Flock]

You have a cat that lives in the coop?

Yes I do. He's a rescue feral and doesn't know how to be an inside cat. And from what I can see also doesn't really want to be one. But I lucked out because he's at least half Maine Coon. He's pure black and 17lbs. I love him.
He's kept our rodent problem down. We had squirrels coming in and stealing eggs. Then the squirrels would give the girls heck for going into the nesting boxes to lay because they were stealing the eggs.
We got Argus, the cat and all that ended.

 

[The_Flock]

I called the vet in because I was feeling like there was alot going on in my flock. He suspects cocci. And we both know there's lice and suspect scaly leg mites.
Sheesh. I really am going to kick them bugs outta my coop and now I'll know for sure which dirty buggers I'm evicting.

 

[Folly's place]

Here in the USA, Ivermectin is not approved for chickens, especially laying hens, because it will be in their egg yolks for a fairly long time. People do use it anyway, as it's easy to apply and very effective, but consider carefully before doing it. You can check about your regs in Canada first too.
Mary

 

[The_Flock]

Here in the USA, Ivermectin is not approved for chickens, especially laying hens, because it will be in their egg yolks for a fairly long time. People do use it anyway, as it's easy to apply and very effective, but consider carefully before doing it. You can check about your regs in Canada first too.
Mary

Thank you. Yes this was told to me. But the only other option here is permethrin and that is deadly to cats. I have a coop cat and am not willing to use it.
We don't have any products with spinosad in it that is strong enough to knock out lice and mites in an infestation. And I've just found out that my girls are losing weight from these tiny buggers. It's also the reason for the weird leg injuries. I'm so lucky because I saw all injuries happen. But couldn't figure out why the injuries became so bad. Well...the drop in health from all these buggers is why.
I've put so much thought into it and with a convo with the vet we feel this is our best chance of getting rid of these tiny buggers.

 

[The_Flock]

Thankfully there is no cocci. Woohoo!!! That's a relief. Now to get rid of the tiny freeloaders.

 

[cmom]

Easiest and most effective (and least expensive) at least in the USA is permethrin spray concentrate. In very cold weather, permethrin dust may be best on the birds, and spray the entire coop.
Your cat will need to be confined away from the coop until the spray is dry, and any dust settles. I'd think that the spray might be safer on the birds too, rather than having the permethrin dust everywhere for your cat to get into it.
Spray, once dried, won't hurt the cat, unless he's actually eating it!
Spinosad is also very effective, and much $$$.
DE is a waste, and bad for everyone, including you, your cat, and your birds to inhale.
Permethrin toxicity in cats is both dose related, and an individual problem. Just keep him out of the coop for a day or two!
Lice or mites will kill your birds!!!
Mary

I agree with Mary. Spray the inside of the coup thoroughly and let it dry. I had a severe infestation of mites last year. I tried different things including DE and it didn't do anything. I had to do something so I used permethrin. The birds were in terrible shape and I thought they were molting but they didn't seem to be getting their feathers back. That is when I discovered the mites. Permethrin doesn't kill the mite eggs so thorough repeat sprays are a must, ceiling, walls, floors, on and under the roosts, nest boxes, any and all cracks and crevices. I initially sprayed the birds, but now and then I dust them and and put some dust in their nest boxes. You may want to spray the birds. I would repeat weekly for awhile. There is no egg withdrawal period. It took awhile, now the birds are beautiful again. Keep the cat out for awhile when you spray until it dries. Good luck...