Mites are dead but what about the egg clusters?

[Southern28Chick]

My roo, Lt. Colonel Bok Bok was INFESTED with lice. GROSSSSSSSS!!!!! I've dusted him and his dog house with DE 3 times now and when I checked him tonight there were no more lice.

There are still 3 large egg clusters around his vent. How do I get rid of those? Should I pick them off (nasty) or will the fall off? Or will they hatch and he'll have lice all over again?

 

[Southern28Chick]

Any thoughts? I've looked online but I can't find anything about the egg clusters.

 

[thndrdancr]

Southern,

The way DE works is to slice the bugs lil bodies up when they crawl around/across/encounter the DE. Its basically crushed up seashell type stuff.

So...based on that...I would imagine the egg clusters would probably still be viable just based on how DE works. I wouldnt think it would work on eggs, to kill them.

Now, I am not 100% sure that it wouldnt kill the eggs, but I am basing my knowledge on how DE works. So...yuck..you may have to work on the eggs... Sorry

 

[silkiechicken]

I would pick them off and keep dusting him as they hatch. I think that's the reason for multiple treatments, most don't get the eggs so you have to keep treating untill all egg clusters are gone.

 

[Bubba]

Quote:
I think the DE would affect egg clusters. It not only cuts up insects it acts as a desicant (sp). aka It drys things out. I would rub some more DE on him over the next several days. Hope your bird is ok Southerngirl!

Bubba

 

[kstaven]

Mites will lay eggs in the cracks of nest boxes and in depressions in perches. Spray them down with citrus oil (orange) and it will take care of the eggs in those areas.

 

[rufus]

I would put vaseline on them.

Rufus

 

[Southern28Chick]

I'm going to go out tonight (that's the only time he lets me touch him) and pick them off by hand. The DE is drying his skin out really bad, his skin is blood red.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think it's a good idea to pick them off. Icky, but effective. Sometimes having a package of those disposable latex gloves around can be helpful. Even if it's just for the psychological effect.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Quote:
I have 32 animals, I always have a doctor sized container of latex gloves.

I'm going to pick them off and then just to be safe I'm going to put them in my campfire pit and catch them on fire.