Chickabee Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 I've just read that Phenol based disinfectant can be a good way of getting rid of red mite. Has anyone else heard this. It's quite hard to get hold of and quite expensive, but if it will help I'm willing to give it a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Phenol is quite poisonous, not only through inhalation, but also skin contact. I would stick to the tested treatments and cleaning agents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 it won't be licensed for red mite control so it shouldn't be recommended anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share Posted June 14, 2017 Oh. It was in a book. It only said disinfectant containing Phenol, not that I'm going to use it now anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Hmmm, while Phenols are powerful anti-microbials and sometimes used (in controlled circumstances) as disinfectants for say AI, it is really nasty stuff... corrosive, bad if inhaled, and toxic to some animals, cats in particular. Jeyes Fluid is one of these, and I only ever use it to unblock drains. Phenols are derived from coal tar, I think, and as we used to use creosote to get rid of red mites, then the thinking follows. Still wouldn't use it though. Stick to Total Mite Kill and Buz Busters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 Jays has a limited recommended use now drain cleaning is about all I'd use it for if I was desperate creosote now more or less totally band for use and storage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 And there's a reason for that. Anything containing Phenols is also toxic to cats - they absorb it through their paws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Any disinfectant that goes cloudy when added to water has phenols in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Anything that is not water soluble will make a cloudy solution when added to water. Phenol is an alcohol with a large hydrophobic part. Any other similar alcohol, like butanol, will give the same appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 I am not very hot on chemistry so thank you for that. I only know because when I had my kittens the breeder said before using any disinfectant, make sure when you add it to water it doesn't go cloudy, e.g. dettol, Jeyes Fluid etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...