Warm boot recommendations please

[Spud]

Hi guys,

 

We're currently suffering from a rather severe red mite infestation, and I'm torn between trying to eradicate them from our wooden coop and just burning it and buying an eglu. I've assumed that if I buy a new wooden coop it will just become re-infested, but we don't really have the funds for an eglu (although obviously if it's the only option, I'll work something out). I'm looking to steam-wash and re-paint the inside of the coop, but my main concern is the roofing felt which I know I'll have to replace. I've read about onduline as an alternative roofing material, but are there any other options? Also, where would I be able to get this from, and how easy would it be to remove the felt and fit it to my existing coop? Has anyone done this before?

 

I'm at a loss as to what to do at the moment, but realise that I have to act quickly due to the magnitude of the problem - I've already lost one of my girls and, despite using copious amounts of poultry shield, diatom and red mite powder, I seem to be making little headway. As ever, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[abwsco]

We converted a shed in April and have not had red mite. Neither have my friends, one of whom has loads of coops so it doens't follow that you will get an infestation again. Also, there's no guarantee that an eglu or cube won't get them but I know they are obvioulsy easier to dry if you use a pressure washer on them.

 

My shed roof has coroline on it which I think is another version of onduline.

 

Are you changing your clothing and having a shower after you've battled the redmite as they can be carried on humans and thus transferred back to the brids again.

[Spud]

Hi,

 

My concern with re-infestation is that, should red mites enter the new coop from the ground that the old one was on/the birds, they might re-establish themselves. I'll have a look at coroline. We are showering and washing our clothes after treating the birds and coop, but unfortunately, as we brought the girls inside after losing one until we could treat the coop properly, we appear to have brought them into the house.

 

I know that red mite can still affect eglus, but thought that with the plastic roosting bars I would be able to control them more easily as I could take the coop apart and clean it daily until the problem began to settle, and then use preventatives from thereon?

[Sandychick]

I know that red mite can still affect eglus, but thought that with the plastic roosting bars I would be able to control them more easily as I could take the coop apart and clean it daily until the problem began to settle, and then use preventatives from thereon?

 

 

Absolutely! You are less likely to get red mite in an Eglu to begin with and if you do, it is so much easier to eradicate. You can take it completely apart, blast it with a hose, dry it off and put it back without much hassle.

 

I haven’t had red mite so far, but if I do, I will be very pleased that everything is made of plastic. I know the Eglu isn’t cheap, but it is so easy to clean, will last forever and cut out a lot of stress.

[abwsco]

We are showering and washing our clothes after treating the birds and coop, but unfortunately, as we brought the girls inside after losing one until we could treat the coop properly, we appear to have brought them into the house.

 

Oh no, what a nightmare

 

Are you a member of the practical poultry forum as there is a great thread on there of how to get rid - cleaning the coop at night when the red mites are out, using dettol etc. Good luck.

[Spud]

I'm not a member, but will join. Thanks.

[moomin]

Good luck, hope you get rid of the little blighters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Nicola H.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Not sure if you've tried it, but a friend's sister had redmite in her wooden coop & used a blowtorch to burn the bugs & therefore clear the infestation. I don't know how many burnings she had to do, and if your coop isn't one which comes apart easily, I would imagine it would be a bit difficult to get to all the corners, where I understand they like to hide.

 

Crikey, how do you deal with it in the house? How many nooks & crannies are there - too much to contemplate

 

Good luck with your challenges,

 

Sha xx

[Egluntyne]

There has been a lot of talk on the Practical Poultry forum about successfully treating wooden coops with Dettol.

 

Might be worth a try.

 

I'd make sure the hens were well out of the way though, till it is dry.

[..lay a little egg for me]

There has been a lot of talk on the Practical Poultry forum about successfully treating wooden coops with Dettol.

 

Might be worth a try.

 

I'd make sure the hens were well out of the way though, till it is dry.

 

I followed such a thread and found that someone had worked out that the cost of Dettol was more than Poultry Shield which, they thought, was just as effective....

 

Edited to add, we have onduline (or similar) on our wooden coop and it is great, it also ensures really good ventilation which is essential for chooks health, esp in the winter when they are inside for such long periods overnight.

[chickenanne]

Felt is brilliant for housing red mite! Onduline, or coroline, or even timber is much much better. I think you really, really need shot of the felt. I've never had one with a felt roof, so can't tell you if is easy or not, must depend on style of house, heinght, size, etc.

 

I've heard blow-torching the inside of the house is a good way of clearing the mite, too.

 

I'm guessing here - but -if they can transfer and reinfect from the ground, then would you not risk them doing the same whatever housing you replaced them with - from ground to new house, clean new house, then from ground to new house.... etc? Any chance you could re-site the house (hen house, obviously! )?