Winter mites... can I use Elector PSP + permethrin together?

[spiritpots]

One of my 12 chickens has mites and I usually use Elector PSP to treat them but since it's winter I used Permethrin powder and dusted all of my chickens yesterday. I also cleaned and dusted the coop and run. It's going to be near 40 degrees today and I'm wondering if I should spray the infected chicken with Elector PSP today as well. I'm unsure if the two products can be used together and also if 40 degrees is still too cold outside to spray the chicken's feathers (it will be near 30 degrees overnight tonight). I do not have a heated garage or basement where I can put the chicken while her feathers dry. This is my first time using Permethrin powder and the application instructions state I will need to repeat dusting the chickens and the coop/run again in a week. Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Its not generally recommended, but they work in completely different ways - should be safe.

Personally, I'd give it time to let the permethrin do its thing - its generally effective. and if it doesn't work, then I'd go with the spinosad (Elector PSP) which is more effective - but no need to use a Nuke when a hand grenade will do.

If your birds are really bad off with the mites, and must be dead NOW, but you are concerned for spraying with elector, make a trip to your local TSC, Ace, or bigbox hardware store - or even WallyWorld. You are looking for "Captain Jack's Deadbug Garden Dust". It is ALSO Spinosad (and crushed limestone).

 

[spiritpots]

Thank you so much. There weren't a lot of mites on the chicken so I'll let the Permethrin do its work. Thank you for letting me know about the Captain Jack's product. I will make note of it.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Thank you for letting me know about the Captain Jack's product. I will make note of it.

Its good to have options/alternatives. I keep Captain Jacks on hand for treating my grape vines and tomatoes. Have been mostly pleased with the result.

Don't recommend inhaling lots of it - not because of the Spinosad, because of the crushed limestone. Its as uncomfortable as a day of mixing concrete - for much the same reasons.

 

[townchicks]

You used permethrin powder, right? That needs to stay dry on the bird to continue to work. If you spray her with the elector, you will negate the permethrin. Not necessarily a bad thing, as the spinosad should continue the job, but if it were me, I would just wait and see how well the mites are being controlled with the powder first. Then you don't have a wet hen as the temps drop.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

You used permethrin powder, right? That needs to stay dry on the bird to continue to work. If you spray her with the elector, you will negate the permethrin. Not necessarily a bad thing, as the spinosad should continue the job, but if it were me, I would just wait and see how well the mites are being controlled with the powder first. Then you don't have a wet hen as the temps drop.

Unlike DE, Permethrin will work wet. I use a Permethrin spray, personally. Great way to apply it to vertical surfaces in my coop, and to soak into crevices.

 

[Shadrach]

One of my 12 chickens has mites and I usually use Elector PSP to treat them but since it's winter I used Permethrin powder and dusted all of my chickens yesterday. I also cleaned and dusted the coop and run. It's going to be near 40 degrees today and I'm wondering if I should spray the infected chicken with Elector PSP today as well. I'm unsure if the two products can be used together and also if 40 degrees is still too cold outside to spray the chicken's feathers (it will be near 30 degrees overnight tonight). I do not have a heated garage or basement where I can put the chicken while her feathers dry. This is my first time using Permethrin powder and the application instructions state I will need to repeat dusting the chickens and the coop/run again in a week. Any thoughts or recommendations are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

What type of mites do your chickens/coop have?
There is little point in treating the chickens if you have red mite (the most common) because they live in the coop and not on the bird.
If you have Northern Fowl Mite then you need to treat the bird and not the coop.
There are many other types of mites and lice and knowing what type of mite you are dealing with is the key to getting rid of them.

 

[spiritpots]

Its good to have options/alternatives. I keep Captain Jacks on hand for treating my grape vines and tomatoes. Have been mostly pleased with the result.

Don't recommend inhaling lots of it - not because of the Spinosad, because of the crushed limestone. Its as uncomfortable as a day of mixing concrete - for much the same reasons.

Thank you!