If you choose to use a spray in the coop look at CV-80D It isa farm and diary insect control spray and is pyrethrinHas anyone used Frontline topical for this problem? I will use the sprays to clean everything really well!
When you use a piece of panty hose or an old sock, cheesecloth etc to powder puff the sevin or poultry dust on the bird there isnt a huge mess. Now if you just pour the dust on yes you will have dust all over and flying theough the air. The sprays are great for the coop but on the bird it can run into their eyes or nose or ears etc and cause alot of harm. I know plenty that have used the spray stuff and been fine, I have always used poultry dust and someone pointed me towards sevin dust this year but havent needed it yet. So pros and cons on both methods so it is a personal choice on that but the dusts are far from impractical, they work wonderfully and quickly.Sevin is potent but dusts and Diatamaceous Earth don't perform the residual activity that emulsified concentrates do. Plus you and your birds have to breathe it. Use Ravap or a Permethrin premise spray. The ones I mentioned before work well. When you said pink, I thought mites. Going back and seeing your description of them scurrying, I now think lice. Either way, avoid those messy, impractical powders and dusts.