Poll - Diatomaceous Earth. Yes or No?

[CityslickerHomestead]

I’ve been seeing a lot of heated debates on how to treat lice infestations in a flock. I’d like to see these opinions more easily, as it appears people are split 50/50 on the comments. Thanks for taking my poll!

 

[GodLovesU]

I tried it once, but now I think permethrin is a better option, depending on the situation.

 

[nuthatched]

Nay- It doesn't do anything more than normal, old dirt, with a host of potential side effects.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Back in my early days of chicken keeping I bought a big bucket of DE. I lugged it along when we moved. Then when we moved almost ten years later I finally threw it out because I had never found a practical use for it.

 

[Daisy June]

I use it sparingly in the girls' dustbath and under their nesting pads. Hopefully, this statement does not set me up for disappointment, but we have not had any problems with bugs on the girls or in their coop.

 

[Folly's place]

For mites or lice permethrin works very well, and so does the much more expensive spinosad. DE, no way! The side effects aren't worth it, and it's so very ineffective anyway.
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I used to use it until I got some in my eye. That was the end of that.

 

[SourRoses]

No, it's way too dangerous for airways!

For bugs, I use Elector Psp (Spinosad). It works the first time, it's very safe, and no egg withdrawal.