My limewash is not cutting it with the red mite in one of my old coops. Have new coops to assemble and thinking linseed oil would do for the inside ? Going to use bitumastic on the outside but that's no good inside. Anything else to mix in with the linseed ? All suggestions greatfully received?
Linseed oil for internal painting of coops ?
- Thread starter Dorkings
- Start date
Does the linseed oil have heavy fumes? That's always a problem with painting coops inside - the more effective the remedy, the harder on the birds when they're roosting.
Has the coop got a felt roof? If so, the mites will have got between the layers and the only way to deal with them would be to remove the felt and possibly replace with a single-layer material such as green corrugated panel material?
Has the coop got a felt roof? If so, the mites will have got between the layers and the only way to deal with them would be to remove the felt and possibly replace with a single-layer material such as green corrugated panel material?
The linseed doesn't seem very noxious but it will get in all the cracks of the new houses unlike the limewash which runs off really quickly. The old house is a problem, it's boarded so awful to reach the little critters, thought I might try and steam them out
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Dorkings said:
I've never (touch wood!) had red mite, but I do use a steam cleaner every now and then. High pressure, it's great for blasting away dirt and stuff from the nooks & crannies! I also use good old Diatom. You can either use the powder as is or mix it to a sort of slurry/paint and paint it on, especially in the cracks, corners and ends of perches.
I've wondered though if the reason I've never had red mite could be that the henhouse has windows (they don't like light) and a white steel roof?
chrismahon
Well-known member
I don't think linseed oil dries very well and it may soak to the outside and lift off and paint. I wouldn't use bitumen asit seals the wood and stops it breathing so condensation and mould will be an issue. Damp and mould in a coop will give rise to some horrendous respiratory infections, so that's something to be avoided at all cost.
My preference is Cuprinol shades on the outside and a steam clean on the inside with regular checks for red mite by lifting out the perches every morning and checking the underside.
My preference is Cuprinol shades on the outside and a steam clean on the inside with regular checks for red mite by lifting out the perches every morning and checking the underside.
Ah yes I hadn't thought about that with the bitumen, good point.
I am keeping on top of the mites with the lime and disinfectant in all of the houses apart from one, it has no birds in now but is overun with the mites, I am going to steam it this weekend and see if that gets rid of them
I am keeping on top of the mites with the lime and disinfectant in all of the houses apart from one, it has no birds in now but is overun with the mites, I am going to steam it this weekend and see if that gets rid of them
rick
Active member
Diatomaceous earth looks similar to lime. Hydrated lime is truly horrendous stuff to breath in. (I'm sure you meant DE Dorkings.)
If you have a steam cleaner that is perfect - it gets everywhere easily and will obliterate the lot with just water.
If you have a steam cleaner that is perfect - it gets everywhere easily and will obliterate the lot with just water.
chickenfan
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I'm sure chemicals or anything with an odour does significantly affect the hens and their eggs.
