RED MITES - had to condemn coop... questions, please help!!

[BuffyGRL]

When you use Sevin do you recommend the Sevin5? and can it bought in larger than the little canister?

 

[welasharon]

Yes it's the seven 5% garden dust.

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
It can get stopped at customs and then we're in big trouble

So dumb.

The good news is there are no signs of mites in the two coops that I've cleaned: been checking twice a day now, unscrewing the sleeping planks from the brackets, running paper towels along the boards, going at night with a flashlight, etc. Looks good so far, crossing fingers I got the little suckers... If I see one single mite I'm going to spray with permethrin right away. The sleeping planks are oiled sealed wood in one coop and melamine planks in another, the ends sealed with paint. I'm going to add vaseline to sides and ends of the planks and around the brackets, just to be sure.

My chooks are getting color back in their faces and once this horrible heat wave is over I hope to see more eggs from the girls.

I know the nightmare isn't over but it seems to be under control, thankfully!

Oh and as for the condemned coop... hubby went in there two days ago to spray with permethrin and he said there were on every square inch of the place, swarming by the millions - hungry and ticked off. He managed to empty 2 gallons in there and will go again tonight, it was just too hot yesterday. Eventually we will be able to bag and remove the bedding and spray some more, little by little, and then next spring get the building bulldozed down. What a job.

 

[Pele]

Yay! I'm glad that you are winning the war, and feeling better!

From what I've read of your posts, it sounds like you live in a humid area. You may want to skip the DE if that's the case, as it's usually only effective when it's dry. It'll suck moisture out of the air in a wet climate, and become inert. But Sevin is definitely still good!

There IS another product that is usually available at most feed stores. It's called Ivermectin. It's really nice because it's just 2-3 drops under the wings (directly on the skin), and it takes care of both internal and external parasites. The best part is that you don't have to throw away eggs for a few weeks like with other parasite medicine.

I pretty much view it as a miracle medicine since you only have to use it twice a year.

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
Yep, been using ivermectin for almost two years now (I battled chicken lice before, uugghh) and it's super effective!

I now have eprinex, the vet told me to alternate the products for a better result.

I am upping my chooks' dose to once every 3 weeks now (it only lasts 30 days in their system, apparently...) and yes our climate is hot and very humid from May to September - 90% humidity many days

Anything for happy, healthy, parasite-free birds!!

 

[1livelychick]

Quote:
It can get stopped at customs and then we're in big trouble

So dumb.

The good news is there are no signs of mites in the two coops that I've cleaned: been checking twice a day now, unscrewing the sleeping planks from the brackets, running paper towels along the boards, going at night with a flashlight, etc. Looks good so far, crossing fingers I got the little suckers... If I see one single mite I'm going to spray with permethrin right away. The sleeping planks are oiled sealed wood in one coop and melamine planks in another, the ends sealed with paint. I'm going to add vaseline to sides and ends of the planks and around the brackets, just to be sure.

My chooks are getting color back in their faces and once this horrible heat wave is over I hope to see more eggs from the girls.

I know the nightmare isn't over but it seems to be under control, thankfully!

Oh and as for the condemned coop... hubby went in there two days ago to spray with permethrin and he said there were on every square inch of the place, swarming by the millions - hungry and ticked off. He managed to empty 2 gallons in there and will go again tonight, it was just too hot yesterday. Eventually we will be able to bag and remove the bedding and spray some more, little by little, and then next spring get the building bulldozed down. What a job.

So happy you see light at the end of the tunnel.... I know you are relieved! I thought of you when I was spraying my coops this am. I use the premetherin dusting application, as well. It's easy to use sprinkle it along their back as they are roosting at night....that way you and the birds don't breath the dust in..mine just sit their as I apply it. It's really handy in the winter. I keep it sprinkled within the shavings in their laying boxes, as well
.

 

[1livelychick]

Quote:
Is there an egg withdrawal time for that? Is it more effective that eprinex? I use advantage on my dogs and cats.

 

[zookeeper15133]

When I had an iguana years ago, I was told that 1 cc of Ivermectin in 1 liter of water wiped on his cage would kill the mites.

 

[technodoll]

Update...

I haven't seen any red mites since I sterilized the coops 9 days ago so it looks like the product I used killed the eggs too?

I check under the sleeping planks twice a day (rub gloved fingers, paper towel test, etc) and every other day I unscrew the brackets and wall anchor points to see if the buggers are hiding anywhere, but nothing (it's where they were hiding before I sprayed the coops).

The planks are white melamine in one coop, which I also wash down with soap and water every 2-3 days to help with visibility.

The planks are pale polished wood in the other coop.

Should I dismember and spray the coops down again, even if there are no signs of mites? By their life cycle, they should have re-appeared a few days ago.

The birds will be re-treated with Eprinex in a week, I believe it does help break the cycle.

*CROSSING FINGERS THE PROBLEM IS UNDER CONTROL*

 

[Pele]

Quote:
ooo, I'll join you in finger crossing!

It does sound like you've got it under control. Grats and i hope your chickens are feeling better!