[manian]

we've recently had an infestation...... diatom and cleaning with smite+++++
put the diatom on all ledges and on the floor and nest boxes.
we mixed into a paste as well but on checking they were in the diatom mud!!!!!!
deffo better with dusting!!!!!!
ours are virtually gone, and only brown so not getting to hens hopefully
Mx

[Dizzycow]

Manian, How long did it take to de-mite via Diatom? Mine are being thoroughly doused constantly but I still have the odd mite on me after taking eggs out of the nesting box. I think the chooks are looking better after three days, I'm convinced their bald patches are improving too. Good to know, appreciate the advice, thanks a million. 

[manian]

we cleaned and hoovered the shed!!!
then placed the diatom on all ledges etc and nest boxes. we went in at night and looked for their 'runs'
they were dead in about 2-3 days
see the odd one but they are brown.... so not eaten; also very small
HTH
Mx

[Sandy]

I got round to cleaning out our hen shed and found no mites, although I noticed 2 hens with scaly feet. Our hens are outside more than inside so maybe thats why. I shall still get some more powder and hopefuly not get any mites at all!! made me itch thinking about it!!

[Mel]

I had this problem once,and that was enough,I was tired of it costing me small fortunes in diatoms and so forth.My answer,Real Creosote! I purchased it from Melton Mowbray and is only available to trade,Smallholders and Farmers. at only £18.00 for 5 gallons,I painted all four coops with it-(old 6x8 sheds) and I have never had the problem since! I do not need to use smite or anything,my girls are bug free!!

[northfifeduckling]

Diatom only since the bad infestation last year - no mites this year 

[Dizzycow]

Oooh, I'm scratching away just reading these posts! Interesting about the creosote, I'll see if I can find some. I was thinking about the roof of the coop, inside, that is. Rather hard to flamethrow or Diatom up the way. I suppose I could tip the house over. I feel so bad about my poor baldy chooks, hopefully they're feeling the benefits of being rubbed with Diatom at bedtime. The floor of the house is littered with dead mites, mighty satisfying! Can't treat my cream legbars though, as they roost in the rafters. They're bound to be affected as they use the nesting boxes in the infected hen house. I've sprinkled Diatom into the nest boxes, but imagine that it won't sort the problem unless I treat the rafter-roosters. Any suggestions welcome!
 

[northfifeduckling]

Mites tend to come from below - access the birds from the perches, then up their legs. I always put lots of diatom powder on the perches, smear vaseline on the sides and underside of the edge - it seems to help. Hope you can get rid of them soon!

[Sandy]

 :cat:Made me itch too, I just wondered if as I used a large clean shed for my chickens, it may well have been creasoted as I bought it used but in excellant condition as it was only used for storing tack in a barn!! maybe thats why I have no mites...the scraty feeling is horrid, I have given up fruit picking in the Forest as I get bitten to bits, I sat on a stone a few days ago and the back of my thighs were bitten all along where the edge of the stone would have been...I was suprised that cleaning out the hens was easy and not a bit of a tickle or bite...creasote it is then!!

[sam.t]

#

Try this recipe. I promise you it works 100% and I have never had a problem with mites since I first used it about 6 years ago. Forget ALL the products you can buy because they DON'T work AND they're WAY over priced! The great thing about this recipe is that, once mixed up, it lasts and lasts!!!!

It's a recipe used by horse owners to keep flies and... insects away from their animals.

 

15ml citronella oil

2 tblsp methylated spirits

1 tblsp washing up liquid

4 tblsp vinigar

1 mug cold strong tea

Top up to 1.5 - 2 litres with water and use as a spray.

 

You can buy citronella oil from your local pharmacist. Just mix it all up and put into a plant sprayer.

 

Spray all over the hen house. You can put some on the birds, too. Just spray a little onto your finger and rub into the hen's skin, under a wing.

Make sure you spray into all the 'nooks and crannies' in the house and especially under the perch, where it is supported either end because that is where the mites like to hide during the daytime.

Once the mites have gone, just spray a little around the hen house occasionally to be on the safe side.



I HAVE COPIED THIS FROM A FACEBOOK PAGE I USE (CHICKEN CHAT) AND IT DOES WORK AND SMELLS REALLY NICE AS WELL

[Dizzycow]

Thanks, Sam. I will try it, for definite. I'm fed up with finding little mites crawling up me after I collect the eggs from the coop. I think I have some citronella, although perhaps not enough. Def have meths and the rest. I suspect meths might be the most effective ingredient. All advice appreciated, and all advice taken! Will do a major flamethrow, Diatom and spray tomorrow. Sam, can I spray the chooks directly? I know the ingredients won't hurt them, but I presume that spraying them will be effective? Maybe I can rig something up to spray the rafter-roosters from above!

Presumably not a good idea to do a flamethrow after spraying with the magic recipe which includes meths??!! BOOM! 

[northfifeduckling]

and feathers  apply the flamethrower with care, flamegrilled chicken 

[violet]

I've just had my first infestation too. 
Have always dusted with diatom & so tried poultry shield ( though I'm sure is a form of liquid diatom with other stuff added) and am really impressed. Will be using the weedwand too. Will be trying the sam.t. recipe as well - thanks for that.
Have also used creaosote on my newest shed - no red mite there!
So if I can persuade the hens to spend a few days there - will be creosoting everything.
But the worst thing is getting the little b******s on me yuk - never knew about that side of red mite before..................

[sam.t]

yes you can spray the chooks obviousley not near their eyes the tea is black tea , and alot of people are using the oil lamp stuff (a lot cheaper) and getting the same results