We have mites...again....😭😭

[Hannahnic14]

So we started treating mites 3-4 weeks ago. First we treated with permethrin for a week or 2 then switched to ivermectin for 2 weeks.

We cleaned the coop out and sprayed it down each time we treated the birds. I double and triple checked the dosages and concentrations we used. We checked last Saturday and no mites! I sprayed the coop and birds again with permethrin just for good measure.

This morning my buff silkie (who started the infestation in the first place) was covered in mites....again.....I seen a few mites on 1 or 2 other birds but poor Waffle is just covered.

What's going on?? She seems to be the target bird for whatever reason. I separated her to treat her until I figure out what's going on.

I have introduced some new birds BUT they have been checked, quarantined, and treated before they were put into the flock.

We are going to treat the other birds, AGAIN, this afternoon with ivermectin. Any advice? Guys I'm literally about to lose my mind......

 

[Eggcessive]

Were you using permethrin dust or spray? Was the spray mixed from concentrate, and if so how were you mixing it? How much ivermectin and what strength were you using. Be careful not to overdose with any of those things.

 

[Hannahnic14]

Were you using permethrin dust or spray? Was the spray mixed from concentrate, and if so how were you mixing it? How much ivermectin and what strength were you using. Be careful not to overdose with any of those things.

We used permethrin spray, from concentrate. I mixed it according to package directions. I believe the mixture ratio for the birds was 1:200. The ivermectin was dosed at 0.3ml per 2.2lbs (dose given by someone on my previous post) Overdosing is what I'm afraid of at this point. Is there something else I need to treat them with instead?

 

[Hannahnic14]

@Eggcessive Should I try Elector PSP this time?

 

[Hannahnic14]

Are the mites preying on this one pullet because she is a weaker one of my flock? She's not "sickly" per say but she's not as hardy as my others.

 

[Eggcessive]

We used permethrin spray, from concentrate. I mixed it according to package directions. I believe the mixture ratio for the birds was 1:200. The ivermectin was dosed at 0.3ml per 2.2lbs (dose given by someone on my previous post) Overdosing is what I'm afraid of at this point. Is there something else I need to treat them with instead?

I think the permethrin 10 label states to use 8 ounces per 12.5 gallons of water. It is always confusing for me and other to figure a smaller dosage for chickens. It can be repeated in 14 days.

If using 5 mg per ml ivermectin pour on, the dosage I am familiar with is 0.1 ml for every 2 pounds of weight or 0.05 ml per pound. Repeat in 14 days.

I do think that mites and lice are more likely to affect one chicken more, but I wonder if your bedding is harboring mites, or you are not getting the whole areas treated. Perches or roosts, nests, and the coop must be thoroughly treated once birds are removed. Be careful not to get it into food or water.

Elector PSP is supposed to be very good, but is more expensive. I have no experience with it. I would wait long enough before treating with it.

Here is the link for dosage of permethrin 10 concentrate:
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/002217-00853-20130129.pdf

 

[Hannahnic14]

I think the permethrin 10 label states to use 8 ounces per 12.5 gallons of water. It is always confusing for me and other to figure a smaller dosage for chickens. It can be repeated in 14 days.

If using 5 mg per ml ivermectin pour on, the dosage I am familiar with is 0.1 ml for every 2 pounds of weight or 0.05 ml per pound. Repeat in 14 days.

I do think that mites and lice are more likely to affect one chicken more, but I wonder if your bedding is harboring mites, or you are not getting the whole areas treated. Perches or roosts, nests, and the coop must be thoroughly treated once birds are removed. Be careful not to get it into food or water.

Elector PSP is supposed to be very good, but is more expensive. I have no experience with it. I would wait long enough before treating with it.

Here is the link for dosage of permethrin 10 concentrate:
https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/002217-00853-20130129.pdf

We use pine shavings from tsc. Each time we treated We took them out and burned them. Also removed all perches and sprayed them and the inside of the coop. We also burned the inside of the coop. I feel like I'm doing a thorough job but I'm not doing something right since they came back.

We treated every 7 days, perhaps we were treating before the the new eggs had time to hatch?

We will start all over from square 1 and do it all again! Thank you so much for your help! I have a new coop coming today and I am going to treat and separate any birds that are not affected as to hopefully get this narrowed down and eradicated.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that this has been such a battle. Mites hatch out every 5-7 days from what I have read, and treatment every 7 days is what most articles say. Permethrin lasts about 30 days in the coop. I haven’t dealt with a mite problem, but apparently they are very hard to completely get rid of. I have heard that some people inadvertently bring mites in on straw they have bought. Good luck with your battle. Here is some reading:
https://poultryhealthinspection.ucd...-files/treatment-of-lice-mites-of-poultry.pdf

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Hannahnic14]

Sorry that this has been such a battle. Mites hatch out every 5-7 days from what I have read, and treatment every 7 days is what most articles say. Permethrin lasts about 30 days in the coop. I haven’t dealt with a mite problem, but apparently they are very hard to completely get rid of. I have heard that some people inadvertently bring mites in on straw they have bought. Good luck with your battle. Here is some reading:
https://poultryhealthinspection.ucd...-files/treatment-of-lice-mites-of-poultry.pdf

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is one more article you may want to read about mites:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/ectoparasites/mites-of-poultry