Lice or other bugs in straw for bedding

[onaharley]

Hey y’all.
Looking for solutions on what to do with straw bales that I use for bedding in the duck pen. It seems as though I have infected straw bails with lice or mites.
Ducks seems clear of any bugs but what should do with the straw? 6 bails that currently in the shed. Are they all infected? Should I just burn them? Should I just stop using straw altogether? Duck pen has a sand floor. Do I just use poultry dust on everything…..pen, shed,ducks? Ducks have access to large bodies of water daily….so I’m not really concerned with them.

I’ve never had this happen before. Any tips or stories that can guide me would be greatly appreciated. @Miss Lydia

 

[fatty and friends]

switch to wood shavings if possible, they are way cleaner in my opinion

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

Get some food grade diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it all around it will kill all the bugs and is 100% fine just use it with care because the dust can agitate the respritory system if you go crazy and it's too much. It's a powder but a lot can be kicked up easier. I line the bottom of my coop with it and a dash of pdz (help absorb ammonia) and just do the run perimeter.

 

[onaharley]

switch to wood shavings if possible, they are way cleaner in my opinion

It’s not ideal price wise but that might be the only option at this point….ugh!

 

[onaharley]

Get some food grade diatomaceous earth and sprinkle it all around it will kill all the bugs and is 100% fine just use it with care because the dust can agitate the respritory system if you go crazy and it's too much. It's a powder but a lot can be kicked up easier. I line the bottom of my coop with it and a dash of pdz (help absorb ammonia) and just do the run perimeter.

Unfortunately in my research I have found that DE doesn’t kill parasites and the respiratory issues are high too. Currently have a duck with respiratory infection so that’s a no go. But I thank you. I guess it’s time to revamp the coop

 

[GravityWaves]

If the bales have all been kept in the same place for a while, chances are good that they'll all have some bugs. You could crack the bales open in the middle and see for sure.

Last year I got a bale that had mites and I didn't notice it for a while. I put some on the metal roof then got some water. When I went to throw the straw in the little coop, there was a legion of tiny scampering mites. Needless to say, I went and got the rest of the straw and promptly disposed of it by fire. I then sprayed with permethrin all around and inside the little coop. No more bugs after that.

If it's possible to find someone nearby you that has fresh baled straw or hay, you should lessen your chances of getting bad bales. A lot of times bales that are kept outside under an awning or such will not be the greatest, too.

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

Could feed garlic, cucumber (the seeds are most valuable), pumpkin seeds, mustard greens. DE needs to be used carefully but can be done. Feeding them DE does worm just gotta make sure it's mixed in. Fall is coming and those pumpkin seeds are a valuable de-wormer as is the pumpkin itself could get a nice deal and prep/freeze it for use later. A festive coop is a nice thing.

 

[onaharley]

If the bales have all been kept in the same place for a while, chances are good that they'll all have some bugs. You could crack the bales open in the middle and see for sure.

Last year I got a bale that had mites and I didn't notice it for a while. I put some on the metal roof then got some water. When I went to throw the straw in the little coop, there was a legion of tiny scampering mites. Needless to say, I went and got the rest of the straw and promptly disposed of it by fire. I then sprayed with permethrin all around and inside the little coop. No more bugs after that.

If it's possible to find someone nearby you that has fresh baled straw or hay, you should lessen your chances of getting bad bales. A lot of times bales that are kept outside under an awning or such will not be the greatest, too.

Thank you! i think i have what is called a Psocids (booklice) in this set of straw bales. https://extension.umn.edu/product-and-houseplant-pests/psocids (thank you patty)

I do have the ability to return this straw and get fresh bales just cut this year, these currently bales i am using are last years bales. i think c-19 hindered the sales of his supply., hence why i am still using last years bales. I will do a deep clean on the shed after i remove the bales and let it sit for two weeks with treatment done weekly.

I cleaned the pen out last night and used pine shavings......good grief, this is way messier to clean then with straw. but it's what i have to do until i can get fresh bales.

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

At least it's not a blood sucking bug draining your birds. That sounds like a plan to get things in order with pine shavings for now. It's not ideal when we have to change how we do things but its great you have the option to do it! Pine breaks down nice mixed with straw for composting at least if you go that route. Just try and think of it as a test bedding until you can get it the way you want.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If it was me I would:
1. Burn ALL straw immediately
2. Go get some Permethrin and one of those cheap pump sprayers and spray EVERYTHING down
3. Switch to shavings and change them out regularly