Mites again...

[KimKat33]

Hello
The beginning of August I had a post about mites. I was given advice on what to use and how to use it.
I thought my mite issue was solved, but today I decided to inspect one of my hens. The mites are back.
I used permethrin 10 to treat them before. But I was also wondering about ivermectin paste.
Would that be useful in getting rid of the mites? If so how do i use it?
I know they make a pour on too.

I guess out of the 3 options I would like opinions on them and how they have worked for you.

 

[Folly's place]

Permethrin is easy to use, inexpensive, and works great.
Ivermectin is not approved, and will work , and using the equine paste is meant for horses, not chickens!
You likely have a reinfestation, from those cute wild songbirds. Make sure to do the new bedding and your birds at least twice, not only one time. And check a few of them every few weeks for those repeat episodes!
Mary

 

[cmom]

You need to treat weekly for 3 or 4 weeks because it does not kill the mites eggs so weekly treatments are necessary to kill the mites eggs as they hatch out. Good luck...

 

[KimKat33]

Permethrin is easy to use, inexpensive, and works great.
Ivermectin is not approved, and will work , and using the equine paste is meant for horses, not chickens!
You likely have a reinfestation, from those cute wild songbirds. Make sure to do the new bedding and your birds at least twice, not only one time. And check a few of them every few weeks for those repeat episodes!
Mary

After the first infestation of mites, I surrounded the entire pen with bird netting. Sides and all.
I treated them for 3 weeks, exactly 7 days apart as I did it every thursday. The last week, it had rained thursday so I did it on friday of that week. I cleaned out their coop and sprayed all the wood around in the run. Should I have sprayed the ground too? I am using paver stones to add height to their food and water. Should I move and spray under those? Im assuming the permethrin wont hurt the trees as they are established....

I guess I'll just have to retreat and hope they go away before winter hits.

 

[Featherss]

Wash them in garlic water, mix feed with garlic and peanut butter (and one other thing, although i cant remedmber. You can probably find it on google) and give it to them as a treat :3

 

[cmom]

After the first infestation of mites, I surrounded the entire pen with bird netting. Sides and all.
I treated them for 3 weeks, exactly 7 days apart as I did it every thursday. The last week, it had rained thursday so I did it on friday of that week. I cleaned out their coop and sprayed all the wood around in the run. Should I have sprayed the ground too? I am using paver stones to add height to their food and water. Should I move and spray under those? Im assuming the permethrin wont hurt the trees as they are established....

I guess I'll just have to retreat and hope they go away before winter hits.

Did you use the concentrate or the premixed?

 

[Painted Calls]

Wash them in garlic water, mix feed with garlic and peanut butter (and one other thing, although i cant remedmber. You can probably find it on google) and give it to them as a treat :3

This isn't going to get rid of mites.

Agree with treatment every 7-10 days for a few weeks. You definitely need to remove the pavers and spray where they sat, as well as the actual pavers as well. Mites are harder to eradicate than lice. They get into the smallest crevices and hide. Go crazy spraying the coop and every nook and cranny in it.

 

[cmom]

So true...

 

[LadyCluck77]

Mites are extremely good at coming back- nasty little buggers!
Use the permethrin spray like others have suggested- They also make a permethrin powder that you can sprinkle all over the bedding. Make sure to get the bottom layer of your nesting boxes, then place clean dry shavings, then more powder.
I have had pretty good success using this.
You can also dust your birds in the powder using a trash bag, filled with the powder, place the bird right up to their head, hold the bag at the neck so that the bird can breathe (they will panic and flap the dust all over themselves. Do this for every flock member. Refill the powder as needed. It is best to have 1-2 helpers for this process. In my experience, you will be a mess afterwards, but it really helped in my flock.
After this process, remove and wash all of your clothing. Permethrin is toxic to cats.
I have used Diatomaceous Earth with some success as well- it isn't a type of poison, but is made of tiny sharp sea creatures that will tear into a bug's carapace. Some people leave a small baby pool filled with DE or the Permethrin powder for the birds to dust themselves in.

I wouldn't bother with the Ivermectin, personally. The coop clean out and spraying/dusting is going to get rid of your mites.

 

[Folly's place]

Wear at least that N95 face mask, or a respirator!
Ask me how i know this...
Mary