Unsecure chicken perches

[Tricky]

This morning when I checked inside the Eglu house I discovered hundreds of red mites hiding at the ends of each rooster bar.

This is the first time in 6 years I have ever been visited.

 

First, I sprayed everything with Poultry shield and completely striiped the eglu down.

Second, I got my blow torch and burnt the ends of the bars. ( I have Mk 2 wooden bars)

And finally, just for good measure gave the whole thing a blast with my pressure hose and let everything dry out in the sunshine.

Hopefull that will do the trick. if anything survived that lot then they deserve to live

 

The only problem I think is if the mites stay on the chickens during the day.I'm not sure but I think they hide away during the day and come out at night.

 

Its all happened this week because at 6.45 the other morning the girls were making a right racket...at a fox who was staring in at them in their run.Luckily I hadn't let them out

[Patricia W]

My vet gave me some spray with pyrethrum (sp?) and that was magic. He advised not to bother treating the chickens but to repeat the cleaning and spraying one more time. That worked for me but I know others prefer to do the chickens too. I have since discovered Raid antkiller also has the magic ingredient and is a lot cheaper - but you don't use it on the chickens! Also be careful as its poisonous to cats.

 

There is a sticky on all this too if you want more advice. Horrid things!

[The Dogmother]

Anything with permethrin in is currently the best thing to get rid of them... good luck.

[Mollie333]

I'm creosoting the coops shortly.. I've been visited!

[The Dogmother]

It's all down to keeping up a good preventative routine and being vigilant; it's very rare to suddenly find an infestation, they will have built up to that level over time.

[Mollie333]

I've been powdering the coops with Barrier ever since i've had chickens..

 

Just my luck i suppose

[The Dogmother]

You may need to switch products then Mollie... the Barrier product is a deterrent but not necessary a lice killer. If you like to use a powder then try Buz Busters; it's excellent.

[Lavenders_Blue]

You can also buy fumers for your coop which contain permethrin. I haven't tried them personally as I have never had red mite (am I tempting fate by saying this?!) but if I found a problem I think I would give them a go. I reckon they'd be more likely to penetrate all the nooks and crannies than a spray or powder. I'd probably follow up with a good dusting of powder afterwards, adopting the 'belt and braces' approach.

[Mollie333]

Wouldn't waste your time and money using fumers. I did, and no difference! I did one and then another three days after, you could still see them even when the smoke was in there!

[Lavenders_Blue]

Thanks for the warning Mollie I shan't bother wasting my money then if I get an infestation - I'll stick to the tried and tested methods.

[Tricky]

No more mites.eradicated at first attempt

Death by Poison fire and water

[The Dogmother]

Great news. Do keep it up though as they are never totally gone and will creep back when your guard is down.

[Jools]

Yes, keep your guard up. You may have beaten the invasion this time around but they'll be back if you're not careful!