4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[house-elf]

Does diatomaceous powder (that omlet sell) treat/help prevent red mite please ?

 

Or am i best using red mite powder to spread in the coop/run etc, and use in the sand bath ?

 

Also what do you use in your sand bath - sand or something else ?

 

Thanks !

[chelsea]

Hi there.

 

DE powder is not used for red mite. Barrier red mite powder is best for this.

 

I do not use DE but I do use red mite powder, on clean out day after the cube is cleaned I sprinkle some in the nest box and over the roosting bars (it smells lovely and fresh ) I also sprinkle a bit in the dustbath.

 

We use a purple shallow tubtrug as a dustbath and it's filled with multi purpose compost - the girls love it and use it everyday.

[Scramble]

Injust use DE and it's fine

 

For the dust bath I have a low but wide terracotta pot filled with eracacious compost, lovely dusty sandy texture

[urbanchick]

Diatom does kill redmite and other insects as it is abrasive to their exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate. Last year I had the worst redmite experience which I do not want to repeat. Every time I clean the cube I spray it all inside with Poultry Shield and let it dry. Then I smear Diatom around the inside of the cube with a cloth, putting loads in the nooks and crannies. I have had no problems since.

 

Red mite powder has no effect on the creatures except they apparently don't like the smell so it is a repellent. If you've got redmite, it's worth dusting the birds before bedtime to keep them away but you have to use the diatom and PS to eliminate the redmite and prevent its return.

[Egluntyne]

I use DE on the chickens and the Cube as a precaution against Red Mite and Lice.