Engaging in WWIII with Mites and Lice

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

SOS! I've recently discovered my poor girls' coop is covered wall to wall with mites (or lice?) nests--gray dusty clusters. I had noticed signs that they might have an infestation, and discovered its extent upon treating with Permethrin 10. Because our coop is not a walk-in design, it's very difficult to get a good look around and access all the nooks and crannies possible, though I did the best I could. I also noticed their poor vents look a little irritated from those tiny bastards. The girls also got a good dousing.

Here's the thing: after spraying down the coop/roosts/nesting boxes and changing bedding, I STILL found a bunch of mites crawling around. So, I sprayed again, and the next day: still mites (though less).

What can I do short of burning the thing to the ground? I am tempted to but I don't necessarily have the funds/time to instantly erect a new one in its place (though we plan to invest in a walk-in next spring). Also, is it safe for me to spray their coop multiple days in a row? It seems to be working, just not quickly.

I've gone through many "firsts" with my, well, first flock of 7, and this might be the most psychologically upsetting of them all. My poor girls! Luckily, they somehow still seem full of energy--eating, drinking, running around, red combs/wattles, etc. But I know this can't go on forever and I need to bring out the big guns fast! Any advice/words of comfort and wisdom are welcome and appreciated! THANKS!

 

[Kiki]

What are you spraying with?

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

What are you spraying with?

Permethrin 10

 

[589205]

I lightly powder my coop with food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) after cleaning old bedding out and before putting fresh bedding in. So far have never had any mite/lice problems yet.

 

[Acre4Me]

You also need to spray or dust the birds with the permethrin.

we do a 2 person method, although one person can do this, especially with only 7 birds. We mix up the permethrin in a garden sprayer and wear eye protection or a face shield since we will be spraying within arms length. We also wear gloves. We grab birds feet and hang them upside down to spray vent and under wings. With two people, the other person holds the legs apart do wecan get between the legs and body. We then out treated bird into the just cleaned and treated coop. Close the pop door and get next bird to treat. Repeat in 7-10 days.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

I lightly powder my coop with food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) after cleaning old bedding out and before putting fresh bedding in. So far have never had any mite/lice problems yet.

I use DE too but perhaps not thorough enough--I will step it up. I always have a hard gauging amounts of things (like with permethrin spray, too).

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

You also need to spray or dust the birds with the permethrin.

we do a 2 person method, although one person can do this, especially with only 7 birds. We mix up the permethrin in a garden sprayer and wear eye protection or a face shield since we will be spraying within arms length. We also wear gloves. We grab birds feet and hang them upside down to spray vent and under wings. With two people, the other person holds the legs apart do wecan get between the legs and body. We then out treated bird into the just cleaned and treated coop. Close the pop door and get next bird to treat. Repeat in 7-10 days.

Yes! I have a reluctant husband on hand who is quite useful for this. We did spray the birds' vents and under their wings, though I still see mites in the coop. Can you spray the coop multiple times in a week beyond the 7-10 day period between spray-downs?

 

[Acre4Me]

Yes! I have a reluctant husband on hand who is quite useful for this. We did spray the birds' vents and under their wings, though I still see mites in the coop. Can you spray the coop multiple times in a week beyond the 7-10 day period between spray-downs?

I would think so. We’ve so far only dealt with lice. Make sure you are spraying in all cracks, up the walls, under roost bars...anywhere there is a tiny crack as mites are small and hide during the day. If it is really bad, you might remove roost bars and nest boxes to spray them really well, as well as spraying behind them. You can remove and replace same day.

 

[dawg53]

Remove all bedding, including from nest boxes and dispose of it. Mix 50/50 bleachwater solution in a sprayer and thoroughly spray inside and outside the coop. Let it dry or use a fan to dry it out before spraying with the permethrin liquid concentrate. The liquid Permethrin has a 28 day residual.Spray the outside of the coop as well.
I recommend permethrin dust on your birds. For me, it's easier rather than spraying them.
Forget the DE, it's useless and a waste of money.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Bio security is serious business for the commercial flocks and it ought to be for the backyard flocks too. Chances are you are treating your coop and flock and wild birds or rodents are bringing the vermin right back into the coop. The root problem usually isn't the coop construction allowing wild birds or rodents into the coop; it is difficult to fence out both. The root problem is in what is attracting the wild birds or rodents.

Make sure your bulk feed is in metal barrels and get a good treadle feeder. That is 90% of the cure, the remainder is cleaning up any areas where rodents can hide in as they travel to and from your coop. Travel is risky, plenty of natural predators out there watching and willing to pounce on a rodent so most rodents are going to live within a few dozen yards or even feet from there food source.

Fix the feed problem, then treat for the pests.