Life Cycle - Lice

[Ted Brown]

Is it correct that lice (and by extension mites) are hatching every day? I assume yes.

I received a rooster that is heavily infested, showing both live & dead critters with significant build up of egg "cement" under wings and around the vent area.

I am treating with Sulphur powder and spray Permethrin (still winter here so being very cautious to not chill him). Will follow a 28 day (four 7 days) cycle for Permethrin; intermediate Sulphur treatments as live lice detected.

Lice "eggs hatch in 4-5 days, with three immature (nymph) stages each taking 3-4 days between molts to the next life stage". I believe this means that they are capable of laying eggs within 13-17 days?

Questions:

1. I believe that Permethrin kills on contact? For how many days is it effective?

2. Best way to remove “egg cement” buildup? {I saw one article saying vinegar (ie acidic acid) another saying oil, another saying cut it off.)

Thank you.

 

[Ted Brown]

This is the Pic I have been referring to:

 

[Ted Brown]

Wilfred just after he was sprayed for 4th time. Inside house in front of wood stove, lit of course.

 

[Ted Brown]

The slabs of glue are chunks/globs of lice eggs?

Yes.

Will get pics. It is milky white in color, no idea how much is egg VS "glue" used to "cement" them to feather bases. Amount indicates build up over time.

 

[aart]

Yes.

Will get pics. It is milky white in color, no idea how much is egg VS "glue" used to "cement" them to feather bases. Amount indicates build up over time.

Yikes!
Kinda hard to differentiate between eggs and casings(glue).
Curious to see pics if you can get them.

Amount indicates build up over time.

No doubt. I would do 3 permethrin treatments spaced at 7 days.
Then keep a close eye on him for any survivors.

 

[Ted Brown]

Yikes!

I would do 3 permethrin treatments spaced at 7 days.

I have found references that say 4 cycles for lice so will do that.

Then keep a close eye on him for any survivors.

Currently have a healthy coop/run, will do my best to keep it that way.

 

[Ted Brown]

He's still quarantined, correct?

Yes, will be for 28+ treatment days, so close to 40 days total.

 

[Ted Brown]

I exaggerated the size of the egg casings+glue but still. The material is flexible, can be folded flat with no breaking, seems very tough.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you for chiming in. Will do.

Both lice and mites need to be stopped before they get to the reproducing age.
That age can change/isn't exact always.

It's better to treat unless days than it would be to treat in more days.
I would not wait seven or eight days if I were you. You don't want the little suckers to get to the egg laying stage again.

 

[Ted Brown]

Today we washed Wilfred and used both oil and hair conditioner to try to remove the lice egg/"glue" buildup. No luck it barely softened. We then carefully cut off as much as we could.

Re-applied Permethrin and dryed him. He is a very calm and tranquil bird.