by Amar Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:23 pm
Mites and Other Blood Suckers
Sevin Dust:
I agree with using Sevin dust. Mine comes in a brand name of POULTRY DUST from the feed store - just read the label. I had a pair of Mourning Dove chicks covered with lice about 10 years ago. They were about a week old. I poured and rubbed the dust all over their feathers. I read in some dove/pigeon book that these parasites live & hide in the nesting material. For 10 years now whenever I change nesting material, I put 2 shakes of the Sevin on the bottom of the nest container followed by a good handful of wood shavings followed by a nice covering of cut hay, straw or soft White Pine needles. Since that time I have not had anymore parasites in any nest or on any dove. I think that 10 years on this prevention program proves its worth. BTW, I am still using the same can (quart-size) of Poultry Dust that I started with 10 years ago although it is near empty now. [Ron]
You can dust the birds with "poultry dust" -- it is 5% Sevin dust. Make sure you don't let the birds inhale it. You can also dust them in Diatomaecous Earth, both products available from a feed/supply store. You may also find them at most garden centers. You may find the Sevin dust under the label "pet dust" or "Pet powder."Go out and get the dust and then put it in your hand and rub it on the birds -- under their wings especially. Keep it away from their heads. I have used both the DE and the Sevin dust on
parrots when I had a bout with the little red mites. No harm done -- just keep it away from their eyes & nose. You might want to rub a little of the dust on the nest. [Helen]
Ivomectin:
On an earlier posting I couldn't remember the name of the drug IVOMECTIN. This is an expensive medicine but only a tiny amount is required. It is used in mammals as well as birds. It kills any blood sucker. It is easily absorbed through the skin and therefore easy to administer. I had a infestation of the Northern Fowl Mite among the birds I acquired immediately back from Brazil. The mites were biting ME!! One drop on the brood patch (flight muscle area on the ventral aspect of the bird)of finches, maybe 2 on canaries or diamond doves, and three on ringnecks easily killed all the mites. [Other skin area could be chosen.] DO NOT OVERDOSE!!! Too much can kill the bird. One treatment is enough, but I repeated a week later to get any new hatchlings of the mite from the nest areas. No trouble since. I'll try to find the % of the drug, but I think all the commercial types are the same. [...wjm]
Miscellaneous Bugs and Treatments:
For Parasites, I use a bath salt for pigeons that says it eliminates "the vermin from the plumage" and it seems to work. [Russ]
Home