Oregon-Still have mites.need help

[yoursecret_1]

I dusted the coop and cleaned it well used Red Lake Earth(diatomaceous earth)a few days agoand still havw mites.How long does it take to get rid of them.What else can I do.

 

[jhm47]

DE will do a pretty good job of suppressing mites and lice, but if you've got a bad infestation, you will need something a bit more aggressive. I would use either Ivermectin or a pyrethrin powder, and spray the nests, roosts, floor and walls with a pyrethrin spray. After that, I'd use the DE to keep the populations down.

 

[LynneP]

I agree, it takes DE at least 12 hours to dessicate an egg or an adult with the crushed edges of the diatoms. While I use food-grade DE to keep pests out of my coop, I think you need things like Sevin or Dri-Kill to knock them down quickly, then use the DE to condition the coop, roosts, and nest boxes over time.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I concur - I've had a rotten time with mites on my banty b/c she's so short and her feathers always drag. It makes her a perfect host for the cussed things, since she's usually damp on her abdomen. <sigh...>

 

[Jenski]

If I remember correctly, the hatch time for mite eggs is around 4-5 days, so you may have to sit tight until the next eggs hatch out. You can kill the adult mites, but the eggs have a thick coating and are immune to DE, pyrethrins, etc.

 

[silkiechicken]

When I had it, I just used a poultry dust from the feed store once a week for a month to make sure I really really really got the suckers! Then you can use DE to prevent more in the future.

 

[yoursecret_1]

Thanks so much Everyone for all your help and time.I just want them gone now.Every time I go to the coop I have to come in and shower.It's driving me nuts.Also worried about my broody ,her eggs should hatch in 5 more days.

 

[silkiechicken]

You don't really have to worry about mites and lice from the birds, they are species specific, so the chickens can have it, get it from other birds, but they won't get you, although you could transfer it to lets' say a household pet bird.

 

[LynneP]

How are you managing?
I would think you'd have to re-treat, perhaps several times until you are satisfied you have them knocked down...

 

[yoursecret_1]

I still have some but is is getting much better.I'll just keep dusting untill there gone.
Thanks again Everyone.