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

[The Dogmother]

Has anyone used Neem Oil against chicken lice and mites?

 

I know that it's widely used to get rid of headlice, but have just come across this. Now I know that coir isn't recommended for use with chickens, but I might just email and ask if they can send a sample over.

 

I'd be interested to hear any feedback, pehaps the oil, dropped onto Aubiose would be the way to go. Is it just a preventative/repellent, or does it actually kill them?

[Old Speckled Hen]

Not for chooks but I've used it for midges ...it works!!!!!

It's a repellent as far as I know

[The Dogmother]

Thanks for that OSH.

 

Does it have a scent (like Citronella does)?

[Old Speckled Hen]

Neem oil stinks of sulphur and garlic but you can mask it with citronella.

My home made anti midge has neem, eucalyptus, citronella and catnip oils

[The Dogmother]

I already use citronella and eucalyptus oils on the Aubiose in the run and housing to repel any summer flies, but a chance comment by someone at the weekend had me wondering whether it'd help.

[The Dogmother]

AHA! Just found this...

 

Field study on the efficacy of an extract of neem seed (Mite -Stop) against the red mite Dermanyssus gallinae naturally infecting poultry in Egypt.

Abdel-Ghaffar F, Sobhy HM, Al-Quraishy S, Semmler M.

 

Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.

 

Infestations with the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae represent a major ectoparasite problem in poultry and affects egg and meat production worldwide. The effects of the neem seed product Mite-Stop against the red poultry mite were investigated. Five primitive poultry farms in two small villages in the Nile Delta and Giza district were selected for the study. The neem extract was diluted 1:40 and 1:50 with tap water just prior to use. Application of the two dilutions of the provided product was performed to soil, cracks and crevices of the examined area as well as to mite-infested birds on day 0 and day 7. Two hours after treatment soil dust was collected from sprayed regions of the stable and from unsprayed control regions of the same stable. The treated chickens were also checked for mites 2 h after each treatment. The examination of the chickens 2 h after spraying showed that they were free of mites. The examination of treated soil with the Tullgren funnel apparatus 2 h after the first spraying on day 0 already showed a considerable reduction of living mites compared to controls. Seven days after the first treatment of the soil the number of living mites was reduced for 80% in the treated soil and decreased even more after the second spraying, since those larvae that had hatched from eggs in the meantime were killed. The 1:40 dilution of the neem seed extract with tap water was superior to the 1:50 dilution. These results clearly show a very high killing rate of the extract, if the mites come in direct contact with the compound. However, in order to obtain extinction also of hidden and freshly hatched stages repeated spraying should be done three times within 8-10 days.

 

Looks promising

[Old Speckled Hen]

Just found this

http://www.felema.com/en-mite-stop.htm

I wonder if it's available in the UK?

[The Dogmother]

Thanks for that link OSH; I have emailed them.

 

You know how a vague pondering morphs into a mission....? I'm looking to see if Neem can be used effectively against red mites, as a repellant if not 'killer'. I've asked if they have any UK stockists, I am guessing that it would also be effective against lice and NFM.

 

My tiny Japanese bantam is so close to the ground that she always picks up NFM, just a few, so I spray her regularly, but I'd prefer to try a natural product on her as she needs treating so often.

[Egluntyne]

Hasn't someone in the depluming mite thread been using Neem Oil products with good effect?

[The Dogmother]

Interesting page here about the lifecycle of red mites

 

Cross-posted Egluntine.. have they? Off to look!

[Egluntyne]

Neem oil gets a mention **here**. This must have been the thread I was thinking of.

[The Dogmother]

Thanks, been checking it out.

[Valkyrie]

Just recieved my Neem Aid from Neem Genie. Apparently it is supposed to smell like onion soup (not opened it yet), but if that's the case I would rather like it! It came with a large brochure which, if it does what it says on the labels, then it's the best thing since sliced bread! Now to put it to the test. OH gets psoriasis - thinking of turning him into a guinea pig too.

[The Dogmother]

I'll be interested to hear how you get on Koojie

[quickcluck]

I bathed mine is Neem aid on the weekend - there's a story my kitchen wont be the same again!!!

 

I didn't think it smelled to bad, But it's a "Ooops, word censored!" to get out of the pot so give it a massive shake (2 hands) first, then sploge it onto a spoon!

 

Last night I coated them in tea tree and FOS, will see how it goes, not sure how ofter I should re apply

[Valkyrie]

I think it's supposed to be better weather again, so if it's warm on Friday (won't be about much perhaps tomorrow) then I'll have a bash. If it helps for a few days I will keep an eye on it to see how long it lasts and then if the girls start looking sore again I will know to do it sooner.

[The Dogmother]

I shall get some Neem Oil at the weekend; there's a good healthfood shop in Stratford where we all meet for the farmers' market.

[AJuff]

We use neem soap from one village which is lovely. I haven't had to moisturise my skin after a shower since I started using it.