Need an insecticide that's safe for nearby beehive

[06492Chicks]

My girls developed bare bums over the past two months, and after adding more entertainment and protein to their run, I've decided I have to treat for mites. Now that it's warm enough, I was planning on spraying both my hens and the coop with permethrin (diluted liquid), but we do also have a beehive on our property. The bees' flight path does not come in the direction of the coop and run, and I'm not spraying the yard or anywhere the bees would be feeding. Any bee and chicken folks out there know if this contained use of permethrin would be ok? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Folly's place]

Anything that kills mites will also kill bees!
First, check your birds, at night, with a flashlight, so you are sure they have mites or lice. Then spray them at night, clean out the coop, and treat it, but not the surrounding ground. The birds will be dry by morning, and the bees aren't interested in going into a chicken coop! We never treat out outside, wanting to protect our wild critters as much as possible.
Mary

 

[aart]

First, check your birds, at night, with a flashlight, so you are sure they have mites of lice

Ditto Dat!!

 

[Laragon]

Anything that kills mites will also kill bees!
First, check your birds, at night, with a flashlight, so you are sure they have mites or lice. Then spray them at night, clean out the coop, and treat it, but not the surrounding ground. The birds will be dry by morning, and the bees aren't interested in going into a chicken coop! We never treat out outside, wanting to protect our wild critters as much as possible.
Mary

Thank you for this post. I’m experiencing this now and was wondering what to treat the coop with since the bees are nearby. Did the permethrin liquid help? I’ve also seen the dust.

 

[aart]

Thank you for this post. I’m experiencing this now and was wondering what to treat the coop with since the bees are nearby. Did the permethrin liquid help? I’ve also seen the dust.

Spray would probably be better, so the bees don't pick any dust coming off the birds.

 

[Laragon]

Spray would probably be better, so the bees don't pick any dust coming off the birds.

Thank you. I’m going to give this a try tomorrow.

 

[cmom]

Anything that kills mites will also kill bees!
First, check your birds, at night, with a flashlight, so you are sure they have mites or lice. Then spray them at night, clean out the coop, and treat it, but not the surrounding ground. The birds will be dry by morning, and the bees aren't interested in going into a chicken coop! We never treat out outside, wanting to protect our wild critters as much as possible.
Mary

I agree. Can you move your hive/s while you treat for mites. One treatment doesn't work because it won't kill the pests eggs so repeated weekly treatments are necessary for 3 or 4 weeks while the pests eggs hatch out if your birds do indeed have mites. Also check the birds at night after they roost because some mites hide in the crack and crevices in the coops during the day and only come out at night to feed on the birds. I use a headlamp and check the birds after they roost so I have both of my hands free to inspect the birds. Also take a paper towel and wipe the roost especially under it and see if you get any streaks on the paper towel, a sign of mites. If you're spraying with a premixed spray they are 0.50% permethrin solution or you can mix the concentrate. Good luck...

 

[Laragon]

I agree. Can you move your hive/s while you treat for mites. One treatment doesn't work because it won't kill the pests eggs so repeated weekly treatments are necessary for 3 or 4 weeks while the pests eggs hatch out if your birds do indeed have mites. Also check the birds at night after they roost because some mites hide in the crack and crevices in the coops during the day and only come out at night to feed on the birds. I use a headlamp and check the birds after they roost so I have both of my hands free to inspect the birds. Also take a paper towel and wipe the roost especially under it and see if you get any streaks on the paper towel, a sign of mites. If you're spraying with a premixed spray they are 0.50% permethrin solution or you can mix the concentrate. Good luck...
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What terrific information! Thank you. We couldn't find any spray, so I used the dusting powder. The coop looks much better today and the bees are definitely not interested in hanging out by them.

I didn't think of checking at night with a headlamp and also under the roost. I will do both today.

 

[SputniksChickens]

Will PREMO mite killer also kill bees? Says it’s eco friendly and has good reviews.