mites, mites, mites

[atmaclean]

I tried everything mentioned thus far with NO luck when I found mites in my flock a coutlet years ago. What finally worked and completely ended my mite problem was Frontline Plus. I got the off brand at Costco and put a few drops on each hen and rooster. I was so freaked out that we had tried all kinds of toxic chemicals on the roosts, floors, nest boxes, the ground around the coop, our yard, house, and everything possible. It was crazy, but we got rid of them. The only thing that got them off the hens was the Frontline in each bird. I apply it ever 6 Mos or so to make sure I never get them again. So far we haven't and it's been 2 yrs.

 

[RobinsEggs]

Ok, this is my first post ever, so please forgive my "newbiness". I have been waging war on northern fowl mites (they look just like picts and are all over the chickens during day) for more than a month now. I have had various chickens for more than 15 years and never had noticeable mite problems before. Didn't see this thread until now. Lots of good info. Maybe someone can learn from my story and mistakes : I always spread ashes where chickens bathe, so I also dusted coop and chickens with permethrine. That seemed to help, but they weren't completely gone. Bathed them with dawn in Rubbermaid tub in my tub - helps control chickens and save water - sprayed them and coop with insectrinx, and used blow dryer on them. I moved them to temporary shelter and am cleaning and spraying frozen coop. Wasn't too worried about mites in bathroom because most sites said would only live day or two without chicken to feed on. OOPS! Have some in Ziploc bag that are still alive after two weeks! I can feel them crawling on me and have been been bitten a lot. They don't bite my son -lucky guy. Still find a few in bathroom, even though I sprayed there, too. It helps a lot to shower and cover yourself with lots of lotion. If you feel them,try using tape to catch them. You might not want to look at them with 200x magnifier like I did -so gross! Now, I'm in search of pour-on eprinex. Can't find any locally so will order online. Arggg! Just felt one on back of neck!

 

[growsaposy]

A few months ago I had to treat a hen with baths every day. On this site I found the best hint. I couldn't find it again as it was a while back. Anyway, we just put a small amount of bleach and (teaspoon) Dawn detergent in a 5 gal. bucket with warm water. Dunk the chicken in slowly and wash her thoroughly. Another bucket can be rinse water if needed. (I don't use it) The 5 gal. bucket eliminates the thrashing! Drying under a lamp is good, but I don't have that so we use the hairdryer or sun when it's possible. We used Bleach again with Dawn to wash the coop about every 3-4 mos.

And Diatomateous Earth food grade is wonderful. I sprinkle it in the coop and the yard twice a week. If they eat a little when scratching, no harm done. I know a guy at the feed store who takes a small dose every day himself! Food Grade is the magic word when buying it. For our small flock (6) a 40 lb. back lasts a year. Highly recommend it. Hope this helps someone who is debating what to use.

 

[Biancas Hens]

I add DE to their food every month. Eliminates worms etc. I have never had a sick chicken. Or mites. But, I have a plastic coop. No wood except their perch which is two thick tree branches. Plastic food bins for nesting areas. And, of course lots of pins chips,. I use the litter method and it works very well. But, DE will kill the critters that grow in the litter and that the chickens eat.,
There is a disinfectant using natural products that might work for cleansing. THe bleach fumes may be bad for their respiratory process.

Formula: Water, grapefruit peel (citrus), white vinegar, cinnamon extract (tiny), vanilla extract (small). It works like a charm and has no negative effects but can disinfect. I got it off a chicken grower website but couldn't fine the site.

 

[dawg53]

I add DE to their food every month. Eliminates worms etc. I have never had a sick chicken. Or mites. But, I have a plastic coop. No wood except their perch which is two thick tree branches. Plastic food bins for nesting areas. And, of course lots of pins chips,. I use the litter method and it works very well. But, DE will kill the critters that grow in the litter and that the chickens eat.,
There is a disinfectant using natural products that might work for cleansing. THe bleach fumes may be bad for their respiratory process.

Formula: Water, grapefruit peel (citrus), white vinegar, cinnamon extract (tiny), vanilla extract (small). It works like a charm and has no negative effects but can disinfect. I got it off a chicken grower website but couldn't fine the site.

DE is ineffective as a wormer. It is ineffective when wet, chicken innards are wet.

 

[LesGus5]

I tried everything mentioned thus far with NO luck when I found mites in my flock a coutlet years ago. What finally worked and completely ended my mite problem was Frontline Plus. I got the off brand at Costco and put a few drops on each hen and rooster. I was so freaked out that we had tried all kinds of toxic chemicals on the roosts, floors, nest boxes, the ground around the coop, our yard, house, and everything possible. It was crazy, but we got rid of them. The only thing that got them off the hens was the Frontline in each bird. I apply it ever 6 Mos or so to make sure I never get them again. So far we haven't and it's been 2 yrs.

Did you use the dog or cat version of frontline?

 

[atmaclean]

I used the dog version! Sorry about that....

Angela

 

[ladyearth]

what do you add to Metaflix etc to use for mites etc..... how is it use??? what conentration, methodsof usa? thank you

 

[Roxannemc]

I wonder if anyone has used those flea/ insect smoke bombs for their coops.I assume They still sell them.
Years ago I used it for fleas in a basement and spiders too worked great for things that get in crevices but coops?

 

[Roxannemc]

For mites in hair... just use mayonnaise.
it works perfectly.No fail...put a lot on hair like a jar...let sit for 3 hours rinse off.Many Years ago my grand daughter had gotten head lice and her mom treated her 3 times with chemicals.she had sores on her head But still had lice .We heard of mayo used it you could see the dead bugs washing out of her he as we rinsed We did pick every nit out over a course of some weeks but she never had them come back after the original mayo treatment.we did a treatment a week later also.
Love this more natural way to deal with lice and probably mites too on humans.The mayo I think smothers them and maybe is alkaline too not sure.