How often to use diatomaceous earth?

[Goober9]

Hello BYC Community,
I'm having a mite problem. They are small, pale mites that DEF came from the bag of feed I bought at my local store. Now they are EVERYWHERE!! I dusted my feeder and feed with some DE and that's kept the mites off the feeder. But, for example, if I leave a glass bowl on the ground of the coop, the bowl gets covered with mites within a few hour. Gross.

I took out all the old bedding/straw and I gave all surfaces including the ground a good dusting of DE last week. But the mites are still there. My question is, how often is it safe to use DE? When would I be able to give the ground another good dusting without harming my ladies (over 1 year old)? Or should I just let the mites be? I took a close look at my ladies' skin and legs and they dont seem to be harming them, but I can't really tell since the mite are pale and so small against their skin.

Thanks!
Auditi

 

[papajoe]

I started using the DE as a dusting agent a few weeks ago, just take a coffee container full and dump it on the ground, they made an instant dusting pit. I put it out about once a week, chickens enjoy it and maybe it'll help with mites and such, that's what I hear. I also sprinkled Seven Dust in the coop and nesting area.

 

[aart]

Ohhhh @Goober9 what kind of feed? Was it Purina?

Check this out https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/981212/grain-mites

I had some too, luckily they didn't spread in the coop before I saw them.
DE will kill them...and they don't feed on blood, so your chickens are safe.

 

[Goober9]

Hiya,
Sorry for the late replay. We've been on vacation. But yes, it was Purina! I wrote them a fairly angry letter though I dont expect them to respond. I've been using DE every now and again so am hoping that will keep the infestation down. Phew! I'm glad they dont feed on blood.

This past week has been close to 99 degrees every day and this week will be a scorcher too. I'm hoping the dry hot weather will help too but I have my doubts.

 

[aart]

Hiya,
Sorry for the late replay. We've been on vacation. But yes, it was Purina! I wrote them a fairly angry letter though I dont expect them to respond. I've been using DE every now and again so am hoping that will keep the infestation down. Phew! I'm glad they dont feed on blood.

This past week has been close to 99 degrees every day and this week will be a scorcher too. I'm hoping the dry hot weather will help too but I have my doubts.

Just curious....where are you located?

I wrote to them and they answered within like 2 hrs offering coupons but wanting my personal info-which I passed on.
I was nice tho, just reporting the issues with details and lot numbers.

 

[centrarchid]

Just curious....where are you located?

I wrote to them and they answered within like 2 hrs offering coupons but wanting my personal info-which I passed on.
I was nice tho, just reporting the issues with details and lot numbers.

I would be surprised if they were not trying to bend over backwards to make things right.

 

[aart]

Quote: If you read my thread, linked in a post above, you'll see they also claimed that grain mites were 'everywhere'.
I did not want them to have my personal info...nor will I buy their poultry feed again, free or not.

 

[Goober9]

I'm located in Raleigh, NC. My letter wasn't hate mail by any means, more irritated than angry. Regardless, I'll still stick with Purina since there are very little chicken feed options in downtown Raleigh. But my local ACE hardware store is very helpful and lets me open the bag in the store before I purchase the feed. This way I can at least inspect the bag before I bring it home to the ladies

 

[aart]

I'm located in Raleigh, NC. My letter wasn't hate mail by any means, more irritated than angry. Regardless, I'll still stick with Purina since there are very little chicken feed options in downtown Raleigh. But my local ACE hardware store is very helpful and lets me open the bag in the store before I purchase the feed. This way I can at least inspect the bag before I bring it home to the ladies

Ah, Thanks. The store should be keeping a vigilant eye on their stock of bags.....they are spraying for them in the store where I got mine.
I was lucky that I found a closer source for a better crumble feed, they have to order it for me, so timing can be tricky.

I've never been able to see the grain mites in the feed, too small and almost same color as the crumble.....always on the outside of the bag.

 

[Goober9]

I may have to start ordering the feed online. I see the mites inside the bag in the cracks and crevasses. Especially along the top where the bag is opened. Lesson learned, def always look inside the bag before anything goes in the coop.