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You know, I`ve read that before also and it may be true for some types, but I`ve seen the little suckers in the bedding. As a matter of fact, I was given some hay at one time and it turned out to be a little damp. The underpart was crawling with them. Since that time, I`ve stayed away from damp anything, but even doing that, I dust the whole coop and even the run. Just paranoid, I guess..........Pop
What do you dust with?
I use a cheese shaker, like in Italian restaraunts, for the birds. I hold them upside down by the legs and sprinkle every part, especially the vent, tail area and under the wings, but every part, except the head. Holding them by the legs doesn`t hurt them. I`ve been doing it that way for nearly 54 years and have never injured a bird, and my dear old granny did it before me. Try to keep it off the head and out of the eyes and nostrils as best you can, but it`s nearly impossible, so don`t worry if those areas get some. Fluff it in with your hand.
For the coop and other areas, just broadcast it with your hand and cover everything, including the nests. Sevin is safe for hens with chicks as well, so don`t worry about safety, except if you have respiratory issues, then wear a mask. It you want to treat the roost, WD40 is the easiest way. Just spray on a good coat, it will drown any of the little vamps that are lurking there.
In 10 days, dust the birds again. The floors, etc,. should still be fine. The easiest way to catch the birds is to pick them off the roost at night. I do this and carry them out to a lighted area for the dusting, then put them back on the roost and get another one. Have fun...........Pop
