Mites. Sigh.

[aart]

I've never had an outbreak of mites in my flock by using diatomaceous earth.

That's no proof that DE works.
I've never had mites in my flock either, without the DE.

If I did have mites I'd use permethrin pronto.

 

[McChooky]

That's no proof that DE works.
I've never had mites in my flock either, without the DE.

If I did have mites I'd use permethrin pronto.

If I had an outbreak I wouldn't hesitate to hire someone dust the chickens with chemicals that are proven to work. No point hiring someone before its needed thanks!

 

[cmom]

My birds have had mites and lice. I used permethrin. Works well. I didn't have any luck with DE. I had a wicked infestation and after doing some research came up with permethrin. If I hadn't started treatments when I did I may have lost some birds. I thought they were molting but weren't getting their feather back in and then I discovered some has mites and some others had lice. I got some permethrin concentrate. I cleaned out all of the coops and treated inside them all thoroughly inside, everywhere, every crack and crevice, everywhere. At the time I used a gallon sprayer. Now I use a backpack sprayer but I also have a lot of coops so when I treat one I treat all. You will need to do weekly treatments for 3 or 4 weeks because it does not kill the pests eggs but will as they hatch out. The bonus is it is safe and there is no egg withdrawal period and the eggs are safe to eat. You can also get it premixed. I also use poultry dust in the nest boxes. Good luck...