Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Roselady]

Just had a cuddle with the girls at dusk and noticed a couple of small black insects on my arm. Hard to squish had to crack them. I think they are lice (been googling). Feel really cross with myself at how I've missed them. We last dusted the girls on 4th July and dust eglu every week (diatom).

 

I nit pick them like a monkey and have never found anything, apart from a few red mites on the cardboard box when we got them as chicks.

 

Would welcome comments and advice as to whether they are lice? They were hard bodied, blackish with a rounded shape and clearly visible on my arm.

 

Will diatom suffice?

 

Thanks

[Lavenders_Blue]

They don't sound like lice to me. Lice are orangey-brown in colour and unlikely to end up on you. You normally find lice scurrying around on the skin underneath the vent. You need to part the feathers and have a really good look to find them.

Not sure what the black creepy crawlies might be, they sound too big for either red mite or northern fowl mite - someone else might be able to shed some light on this.

[Roselady]

Hi Lavenders Blue

 

Thanks for replying I wonder what they were then. The eglu is situated under big trees at the bottom of the garden and we always have an 'interesting' number of creepy crawleys landing on us but because of their size I assumed they were the dreaded lice.

 

I will check them again anyway tonight as it was too dark last night.

 

Thanks v much

[The Dogmother]

Definitely not lice as LB has said. NFM are very tiny but do like to crawl around on humans and give us the odd nip.

 

I'd check all your girls and apply the preventative/spray routine that's always recommended, then treat the housing with Total Mite Kill Concentrate and Buz Busters. The fact that you're so vigilant means that you will be able to knock any outbreak on the head pretty quickly

[thequietman1977]

Doesnt sound like lice to me. We had a bad infestation few months back. If it is lice, you will see the eggs stuck to the feather shafts, tends to be around the vent, neck and under wings (anywhere warm). Tried everything all the powders etc and the only thing which worked in getting rid of them was spot on for cats. Honestly, miracle stuff. Tried all the diatom powers and sprays and all that, but the frontline/spot on was recommended by my vet. One spot on the back of the nexk, one between the wings on the back and one above and below the vent. They were gone and there has be no sign of anymore since.

 

Not sure what these critters are but this should just get rid of them anyway.

[Roselady]

Hi Dogmother and Quietman

 

Thanks also for taking the time to reply, much appreciated

 

They've just had a thorough check and looked specifically for what you told me to. Couldn't see anything. Will stay on my guard and follow and bear in mind your recommendations