Understandable. DE is worthless for mites since there is no residual, and when birds have mites in the environment, they just get infested again. In regard to chemicals. They can be organic or inorganic. Organic methods have proven to ineffective time and time again on numerous threads throughout this forum. People also don't treat their coops, or remove wild bird nests nearby that may harbor mites. They treat the birds but not the living quarters. I clean out coops about every 3 months by removing all litter from the floor and nests. I sanitize with Oxine AH or Biophene, let it dry. Then spray the walls, cracks, crevices, roosts, floor and nests with emulsified concentrates such as Permethrin or Ravap EC. Both Gardstar 10% Permethrin and Ravap EC are labeled for use on birds as well as premises, and are safe so long as label instructions are followed. My birds remain healthy and mite free for years of using that program.