anyone used this for mites
- Thread starter karminski
- Start date
It looks very similar to Ficam-W which is the most effective way of dealing with redmite since it kills the eggs as well as the mites. So I'm told by a breeder friend who swears by it.
Sue
New member
Would a spray like this be better to use during the winter months? I don't know what to use now, as Poultry Shield would take forever to dry (if at all) at this time of year. Ficam-W is what the breeder who I had my first birds from said I should use and is what he uses, but I didn't like the sound of it as there were lots of nasty chemicals in it.
chrismahon
Well-known member
I wouldn't suggest using Ficam-W. It is highly toxic stuff and in the presence of humans should only be put along small gaps at floor level. It needs fully protective gear to apply it, so what side effects it has on chickens I can only guess.
Sue. Back to simple basics really then with diatomaceous earth (is that how you spell it?) sprinkled on the floor (fine sharp particles that cut the mite) and birds dusted with repellant mite powder. They won't breed much now as its too cold anyway. They seem to have disappeared from our coops. Must be hibernating or something?
Sue. Back to simple basics really then with diatomaceous earth (is that how you spell it?) sprinkled on the floor (fine sharp particles that cut the mite) and birds dusted with repellant mite powder. They won't breed much now as its too cold anyway. They seem to have disappeared from our coops. Must be hibernating or something?
i am going to get some of this stuff in to try as the tree in the run is being taken down from the 12th dec so god knows what will drop ontop of the house while its being done so i want to be prepared ready as i have been told red mites could drop from the branches if the wild birds have left any there .
Sue
New member
I have used diatom powder from day one and I think this is why I haven't seen a single red mite yet! I sprinkle it around all the edges of the floors/nest boxes and perches and also on top of the wood shavings and also smooth it underneath the perches. The birds dust themselves in the dust bath. I do dust them occasionally, but have not found any lice either. So seems to be working for me at the moment anyway.
re Ficam-W - my friend, who breeds a lot of chickens and quail, is very hot on biosecurity and has never had any redmite until earlier this year, when a wild pigeon flew in through the open door to one of the covered runs and was found sitting on a box inside. She chased it out, and a week later noticed a great heaving pile of redmite on top of the box. It had spread very fast to her other runs as well. Knowing Ficam-W was effective but had a lot of health warnings attached, she was of course concerned for her health and that of the birds, so she consulted a friend of hers who works in neurological medicine. He said that, in his opinion, given careful and sensible application according to the directions, it was no more dangerous than, for instance, garden weedkillers which people often spray around regardless. She removed all the birds, the chickens got penned up somewhere and the quail spent the day in cardboard boxes on the lawn, cleaned out the coops, donned disposable gloves and a suitable anti-chemical mask. The Ficam comes in a soluble plastic pouch which you add to a measured amount of water in a small hand sprayer. She then carefully sprayed the joins and cracks where the redmite might lurk and said none of it blew around and she didn't feel in danger of inhaling it. Only small amounts were needed and when it was dry she replaced the birds. The birds showed no sign of being affected by it, then or since, and the redmite was GONE - no re-emergence so the eggs were obviously killed as well as the adults. Since then, several months ago, there has been no signs of any mites. She says she doesn't know why anyone would bother with anything else less effective.
Well, I'm not speaking from personal experience because I've never had redmite, so far I've been lucky. But I've bought a sachet of Ficam-W from my friend and have it stored away safely just in case.
Well, I'm not speaking from personal experience because I've never had redmite, so far I've been lucky. But I've bought a sachet of Ficam-W from my friend and have it stored away safely just in case.
I agree with sue, I always use Diatrom now, I mix it with the shavings, dust walls, nesting boxes, perches and cracks, never had any problems, would be worried about using poison just incase the chickens at something that had been killed by it
Sue
New member
I can understand using a chemical such as Ficam-W if you had a serious infestation and this was the most effective way of getting rid of it, but from a personal point of view I try not to use any sort of chemical with an 'X' on the back. I don't really like using Poultry Shield either and have only done so a few times. I don't use weedkiller at all as I have a totally wildlife friendly garden and if there are weeds, then I just pull them up. I don't mind a few weeks anyway as they are good for wildlife as long as they are kept under control. No animal or bird if completely free from parasites (including us). Infestations are, of course, another matter.
chrismahon
Well-known member
Elector biocide is much safer to apply -can even spray the chickens. But it is expensive as it is an industrial agent. It attacks the nervous system of the mites but there will be a few breeding mites left. They will be immune, so back to Nettex and Smite the following year. But there will be a few breeding mites left. They will be immune so back to Elector. And so on. I have seen this evolution in resistance of mites first hand. What bothers me with Ficam -X is potential side effects both from applying it and long term exposure to the chickens plus, if there are any left they will be immune and what do you hit a super mite with? I was ill mixing Flubenvet the first time. Like Sue I don't use weedkiller -potential long term damage to the soil.
I will rely on Creosote. It has been used for years and years so exposure isn't an issue. I only use it inside so runoff into the soil doesn't happen. Plus it may kill the mould growth in the wood caused by damp.
I will rely on Creosote. It has been used for years and years so exposure isn't an issue. I only use it inside so runoff into the soil doesn't happen. Plus it may kill the mould growth in the wood caused by damp.
I'm sure you're all right, and certainly prevention is better than cure, of whatever kind. I don't use weedkillers either, except in 2 particular circumstances, ie to kill regrowth from something like an elder stump that is too deep or awkwardly placed to dig out, and Pathclear once a year between the bricks on our paved drive (being careful of the runoff.) However, I have read that agricultural creosote is now difficult to get hold of unless you buy a huge farm-sized barrel, because it's been recognised as being too toxic for household use - is that right, Chris? - and I wouldn't like to inhale the fumes from it or expose the hens to it either. I suppose one just has to balance the dangers to hens and self of a sequence of exposures to short-term treatments which are not fully effective, against one fell swoop that is likely to deal with the problem. As I said, for me this is a theoretical discussion - long may it remain so, and I'll keep up the diatom and redmite patrols!
thing is what works for one doesnt always work for the other as the saying goes , i havent had any signs of red mite in my big house for a week now and the plastic nest boxes have been clear but i am sure i have just killed one in the little wooden coop it was getting a bit dark so wasnt to sure if it was one or a red spider mite , in time i will be building my bantams a house like the big one made of ply sheets but it will only be 4ft by 4 which like the big house will make it very easy to get rid of mites if they take hold again but that wont be until i am of during the xmas period as i will have 14 days to build it at the mo though i am concerned about putting down membrane with wood bark on top where the bantams are as their feet are getting muddy .if i can get this new house built then i may use a small can of this on the new house to see how well it works 
chrismahon
Well-known member
You are right about the creosote Marigold. Industrial use only in 20 litre drums. Householders are not trained to apply the stuff safely but industry is supposed to be. So if you have an agricultural holding registration, like for sheep, pigs or over 50 chickens you can buy it. Otherwise you can only get creocote -the less toxic version in 5 litre packs. Smells similar but doesn't burn your hands on contact.
