Permethrin sprayed in the coop and on the birds will kill mites and lice, but won't come in contact with bees or outside bugs. I spray them while roosting at night, and everything is dry well before daylight. Ivermectin on each bird works fine for mites, lice, and many intestinal parasites, but won't treat the coop and bedding, and isn't approved for chickens. I have used it anyway, but still must spray the coop and bedding to kill mites. DE is bad to inhale and has limited effect on parasites compared to permethrin, so I don't bother with it. I don't spray insecticides outside of the coop, and then inside only at night, in part to protect the critters (including bees) outside. Mary
