sulfur powder against lice/mites?

[chooks4life]

Note to Erica: I agree about avoiding the more toxic insecticides/acaricides, regardless of whether they're from natural sources (some of the most toxic substances ever discovered are from natural sources - ricin, for example, or saxitoxin).

Definitely, just because it's naturally derived doesn't mean it's not harmful.

But it's generally a mistake to conclude things like "garlic works by being high in sulfur." This is a common error among many who comment or question on BYC.

Why do you conclude this is a mistake?

Personally, I disagree with this statement, no offense intended. The sulfur levels a chook can tolerate without harm are far beyond the sulfur levels their parasites can tolerate, with the possible exception of very large tapeworm. What's a healthy level for any animal is repellant to parasites, and raising it quite a bit, e.g. doubling or trebling it, while being still well within safe levels for the host, can kill its parasites. But in Australia at least, almost all humans and animals are often disastrously low in sulfur, complete with all the attendant diseases and parasite infestation that allows.

Low sulfur levels are always correlated with an increase in almost all types of parasites and diseases, and raising sulfur levels can eradicate parasites, fungal and bacterial diseases, and more. Doesn't matter if you're talking about soil, plants, animals, or humans there.

I feed garlic to control external parasites like mites, and it works quite rapidly, and it's not the other compounds in garlic doing it. Other sources of sulfur work the same. The sulfur works the same way externally as internally when it comes to applying it to insects, more or less, but since I've never applied it externally I can't vouch for how fast or efficiently it works that way. I hear it works, but I've never needed to use it that way.

Regarding cattle, they can easily overdose on sulfur, so one should be careful adding it to their feeds in neat form. Premixed additives are generally a lot safer than adding straight sulfur to anything's food.

Best wishes.

 

[chooks4life]

We got a big spray bottle of a permethrin/pyrethrin solution a couple days ago at the feed store, and sprayed it into the likely mite hiding/breeding places in the coop, like cracks, weathered wood, etc.. That seems to be pretty low-toxicity stuff, derived from chrysanthemums.

You may want to look into piperonyl butoxide. That's a synergist usually added to permethrin containing products to make them more effective, but it's recently lost its official safe status, however the regulatory changes are taking a while to filter down the food chain, lol.

It's been positively correlated to fetal retardation and deformities, being a known teratogenic, and the official warning is that pregnant women especially should not use it, though the most dangerous method of exposure is via inhalation. This is one to watch. I would bet on there being class action lawsuits in future.

Best wishes.

 

[iluvmichickens]

I could only find aluminum sulfur at a local garden center. It's not dust, but more of a granular. Does anyone know if this would be safe to add the the chicken's dust bath? I think it's 90% sulfur.

 

[chooks4life]

I could only find aluminum sulfur at a local garden center. It's not dust, but more of a granular. Does anyone know if this would be safe to add the the chicken's dust bath? I think it's 90% sulfur.

Absolutely no aluminum of any form whatsoever should be added to their food or environment.

Being a metal it is not something we are designed to cope with anything more than naturally occurring, very minute, trace element degree exposure to; but we have it being used in so many products, foods even, that we are being toxified with it, and so are our animals. Because it's not a natural part of our diet it accumulates in the body, as the organism does not 'know' what to do with it, until it begins interfering with normal functions.

It's most definitely unsafe, you probably won't see anything happen with very small exposures but it accumulates over time and then you end up with serious issues and by the time the symptoms show it is often too late to treat, and treatment is difficult and complex.

I know that aluminum in general is still considered 'safe enough' by many official sources despite scientific research proving otherwise, but much emerging information is challenging that status and it's another one there's likely to be class action lawsuits over in the near future.

In short, if you put this down, you'll be providing a cause of metal toxicity, made worse by the fact that they preen so will be ingesting it directly. I am assuming you meant 'aluminum sulfate' since that is listed for pesticide usage.
Quote: Quote: CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.

MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.

TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.

DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Classified Reproductive system/toxin/female, Reproductive system/toxin/male [SUSPECTED]

The substance may be toxic to the reproductive system, mucous membranes, skin, eyes, Urinary System.

Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes.

 

[iluvmichickens]

Thank you so much for the information! I was having serious doubts and am glad you confirmed them. Great info! I appreciate your research chooks4life!

 

[chooks4life]

Thanks I thought it might be overkill but it's great to know it was helpful instead.

Best wishes.

 

[chicknmania]

I could only find aluminum sulfur at a local garden center. It's not dust, but more of a granular. Does anyone know if this would be safe to add the the chicken's dust bath? I think it's 90% sulfur.

You can find pure sulfur powder if you look on line. It's not expensive, and I think it works well. It does not have aluminum. Here, we can find sulfur powder at the mill. You ought to be able to find it somewhere in a brick and mortar store, too.

 

[iluvmichickens]

Ok, I will look locally again and if I can't find it I'll order some. Thanks!

 

[finnfur]

Ok, I will look locally again and if I can't find it I'll order some. Thanks!

Most farm supply and large Agri supply carry it. Purchase mine at Southern States in 20 pound bag and it goes a long way.

 

[liljerry71]

We offer a granular sulfur product that does the same thing but is dust free.
Jarrod Sullivan

Georgia gulf sulfur
904-838-8825