RED MITE

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brahmist

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I have put this on another site,but thought it might be
worth putting on here.

To get rid of the mite in our coops, we sprayed like everybody
else put down Diatom in nests on birds in food in coop and on food.

What we do now,because it was getting expensive,is,brush
new engine grease in corners and cracks where chooks can't get at
it,and on inside of roof.Then on the ends of the wood we spray it
with adhesive so that R/MITE can neither get i n or out (we hope).
Seems to have worked so far fingers crossed.

Nothing to lose,and cheaper than keep on spraying. :-)99 :-)99
 
doesn't new engine grease contain Lye/Li soap which is caustic?? what is the ingredient list for the grease you're using? I think I would worry about how safe it was for the chooks. Would Vaseline not suffice, i know it's also petrol based but in small quantities might be less harmful? I think you can get mineral oil and organic vegan grease as well which might be safer. The grease when warmed will emit vapors which could potentially be harmful for your chooks when they are sleeping.
 
Although i have heard about folks who mixed creosote with old engine oil to make it go further, creosote is nasty stuff anyway, and not widely used, i agree totally with Steph above, just check that the grease you are using hasn't got a toxic ingredient that would harm your birds if they get it on them. Mechanics now wear protective gloves when handling engine grease, so that would say to me it's not entirely safe to use. Vasaline is much safer. ;)

JubesXX
 
Engine grease just causes dermatitus with prolonged contact, so it should be OK to use. I'll stick to my spare coop plan with creosote treatment inside one year followed by Elector biocide the next, unless my next idea works. Working on a red mite trap at the moment so will post when trialled. Just need one more component and a few hours to assemble it -but when do I get a few hours? Then a test with photos to prove results -We've got plenty of infested coops to try it on!
 
chrismahon said:
Engine grease just causes dermatitus with prolonged contact, so it should be OK to use. I'll stick to my spare coop plan with creosote treatment inside one year followed by Elector biocide the next, unless my next idea works. Working on a red mite trap at the moment so will post when trialled. Just need one more component and a few hours to assemble it -but when do I get a few hours? Then a test with photos to prove results -We've got plenty of infested coops to try it on!
Click to expand...

Sounds interesting Chris! Look forward to results and photos... :-)17
 
Creosote often used to be mixed with used engine oil engine oil but it made the end result even darker than the creosote and it tended to remain damp in patches so was best used only on the outside. It can also be diluted with paraffin which lightens the shade of the creosote while still being effective I picked this up in an old Feathered World Year Book. I've tried this and it works fine.

There is a new perch mentioned in Practical Poultry this month which is claimed to be a red mite preventer/killer but to me it has several flaws, not the least of which is it doesn't seem to be adjustable in length so if you house doesn't fit the perch it's no good to you. Although it's said to be less than £30 (? £29.99)
that's a big investment even if they fit your house. As the mites can't get to the chicken, straw needs to be put on the floor as the mites are said to be attracted to the heat of the droppings, so the straw is cleared out and burned every day.

Would be interested to see any feedback if anyone tries one.
 
I tried blocking their route to the perches using side screens treated with creosote and creosote on the ends of the perches. But they can still jump on them from above. Accepted, when full of blood they can only crawl, but they keep coming and I crush loads stuck under the perch every time I look.
 
That sounds ok Chuck, for birds who perch! :lol: Not great that it doesn't adjust though, even budgie perches are adjustable!
I have been using that stuff by poultry keeper range, and i must say, i don't have any crawlies as yet, didn't bother with the fumer though, not much point when the houses are so well ventilated, it would be a real pain to try and block all the holes up! But the spray, and the powder seem to be doing the trick. Permethrin based like some ant powders, and leaving a residue to act for a longer time is a good idea in theory, keeping my fingers crossed. I loved the old creosote, but now with my white birds, i can't risk getting any on their feathers for showing, this other stuff is clear, so no stains! :D
Sounds like you have a real experiment going on there Chris! :lol: Looking forwards to the results. :-)17

JubesXX
 
Just bought the final component -waiting for it to arrive. In the meantime I've had some more ideas but this will test the principal. Dyson made 17,000 prototypes I read somewhere!
 
chrismahon said:
Just bought the final component -waiting for it to arrive. In the meantime I've had some more ideas but this will test the principal. Dyson made 17,000 prototypes I read somewhere!
Click to expand...
We'll have to start calling you the Nutty professor!! :lol:

JubesXX
 
I've just tried Chuck's idea on the sections of our new mobile coop. Painted a light coat of 50:50 creoste and paraffin on the insides only. I think the shade used to be called 'nut brown' rather than 'dark brown'. Certainly is much lighter and soaks in better. Smells different but still burns your skin so it should be just as effective, as Chuck says. Just hope the Cuprinol Shades paint will adhere when the stuff has dried, because there is a little overspill on the outside. Still its only 3 quarters finished so plenty of time. Nest box next -complicated bit because of the lid angle.
 
I have done mine both sides as they also preserving wood.I had used bertolli creosote(stinks for a while) but no problems with any parasites.Happy heathy choks :D The only part of wood i had left alone is perches as did not wanted my chickens have skin contact with the stuff.
 
I'll be doing the very ends of the perches Tygrysec because they are against the walls so provide a cosy hiding place for the little devils. I'll use the same mix. Agree with you though. Don't want them to contact the stuff. The floor is painted white gloss -poo doesn't stick to it well, but it is slippery until a bit worn. I've painted the inside of the roof as well to reflect more light in there.
 
I keep a spare set of perches for each house (and there are many). I treat them not long before I know I'm going to clear that shed so they're dry.
 
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