Tiny black crawlies on my eggs...mites?

[TammyTX]

I think I have mites.

Last night I gathered the eggs out of the nest boxes and when I went inside I noticed one of the eggs had a very very tiny creepy crawly on it, then I saw another....and another!

It also is clear why when I gathered the eggs (in my shirt-tail) that later I kept feeling like something was biting me. Apparently I had mites too!!

I have not checked the birds yet because it was late when I found out about the mites. I don't like to use poison as I've had cancer once and would prefer not to tempt it again. I have DE and I plan on sprinkling it in their dust bath area, also known as the foundation around the house.

Besides changing out the litter, power washing out the coop/roost and sprinkling DE everywhere, any suggestions? I would prefer not to use Sevin or any insecticides unless absolutely necessary. I think I read about something called Orange Guard? Is that something with orange oil?

What about eucalyptus oil, would that help keep the creepies away?

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I believe that mites only "come out" at night to attack the birds. They hide in the coop - roosts, walls, shavings - during the day.

Sorry, I know nothing about the orange stuff or eucalyptus oil.

If you do a search using the search above your logged in name - look for mites - lots and lots of info on fighting/treating them.

 

[TXmom]

How about Neem oil? I just bought some for the garden, I think you can find it at most garden centers. It's all natural (make sure to read the label, I'm sure different brands could have weird stuff added to it) and has lots of uses...pesticide, fungicide, etc.

Here's a link with info about it: http://www.discoverneem.com/