Making a roost

[Birdwatcher804]

I have found out the hard way that roosts should not be made of wood. Battling a terrible mite infestation right now. What are some other materials to use to make a roost? If I polyurethane or paint the roosts would that keep mites from invading them? Thanks in advance for any help and/or recommendations.

 

[aart]

I have found out the hard way that roosts should not be made of wood

Ehh.....not so true. It's not the material so much as the cracks and crevices all over the coop that harbor mites...if they are the kind that lives in the structure and only come out at night to feed on the birds.

You're going to need the heavy guns to get rid of an infestation.
I recommend this stuff:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134783/permethrin-spray

 

[Birdwatcher804]

Ehh.....not so true. It's not the material so much as the cracks and crevices all over the coop that harbor mites...if they are the kind that lives in the structure and only come out at night to feed on the birds.

You're going to need the heavy guns to get rid of an infestation.
I recommend this stuff:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134783/permethrin-spray

I'm all new to this. Everything I am reading says wood roost this, and wood roost that. I am building my arsenal, but am thinking of ways to help prevent it from happening again. I am going to caulk every crack and crevice in my coop. The coop is made out of masonite siding, OSB, and pressure treated wood, and some painted wood trim. Do you think if I paint or polyurethane all of the wood, that will be a deterrent? I've attached a picture of it. I don't use any bedding in it, though. It is not needed. You can see one of the roost in the picture of the inside.