Permethrin for mites and lice

[Miriah132]

My mother in laws chickens have been disappearing the last week, pretty sure thanks to raccoons, so they gave me their last two hens. I brought them home and put them in quarantine and noticed they were BADLY infested with mites and lice. I’ve never seen birds this bad! I didn’t have any dust on me so I sprayed them with a mixture of water and flea and tick shampoo for dogs and left them to dry. Tomorrow I will be dusting them with permethrin powder. My question is, how long before I should see a difference? And also, since I brought them to a new location that is mite and lice free, I shouldn’t have to treat the coop after treating them correct? I feel so badly for these girls and do NOT want my flock infested!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Tomorrow I will be dusting them with permethrin powder. My question is, how long before I should see a difference? And also, since I brought them to a new location that is mite and lice free, I shouldn’t have to treat the coop after treating them correct? I feel so badly for these girls and do NOT want my flock infested!

Exactly what do you mean by "how long before you see a difference"?
The Permethrin should kill the active infestation. You will want to re-treat again in 7-10days to kill any that hatch. If it's lice, then you may need to re-treat one more time for a total of 3 applications.

As for treating your coop-if the new hens have not been housed there, then you shouldn't need to treat it. If the hens have been intermingled with your flock, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to give everything a clean-up.

 

[Miriah132]

Exactly what do you mean by "how long before you see a difference"?
The Permethrin should kill the active infestation. You will want to re-treat again in 7-10days to kill any that hatch. If it's lice, then you may need to re-treat one more time for a total of 3 applications.

As for treating your coop-if the new hens have not been housed there, then you shouldn't need to treat it. If the hens have been intermingled with your flock, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to give everything a clean-up.

I mean should the permethrin kill most of them instantly or will it be over a course of a few days? I will definitely treat them again in 7 days then at 14 days after first treatment. I haven’t put them anywhere near my new flock yet. I just got them and typically quarantine my new birds for atleast a few weeks. Glad I do cause I haven’t had problems with lice or mites in my flock yet! Thank goodnes.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I am unsure how swiftly Permethrin powder acts but Permethrin spray kills lice and mites almost instantly and you don't get it all over yourself.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I mean should the permethrin kill most of them instantly or will it be over a course of a few days? I will definitely treat them again in 7 days then at 14 days after first treatment. I haven’t put them anywhere near my new flock yet. I just got them and typically quarantine my new birds for atleast a few weeks. Glad I do cause I haven’t had problems with lice or mites in my flock yet! Thank goodnes.

I'm like @chickengeorgeto I don't know how quickly the dust kills, it most likely is within 24hrs. I agree that spray might be easier to use and from what I read is more economical to purchase if you mix your own.