Frontline for mites and/or lice

[Sharon Yorks]

When I had that bad outbreak I was treating them once a week, then once a month, now I'm down to quarterly.

You actually put the Frontline (how much?) on the birds once a week (for how long) and you didn't see any bad effects from it? I am having a terrible time trying to get rid of mites right now. I Frontlined all of my birds twice now and am still seeing signs of them. Yesterday I found scaley leg mites on one of my hens. I just Frontlined 5 drops on all of my birds 17 days ago and 3 weeks before that, plus dusted Sevin, too. Frontline does not appear to be working on my birds. I must have bionic mites here. I'm open to other suggestions. I just bought some Diatomaceous dirt so they can dust themselves, too. I will probably try the Ivermectin next.

Is this what I'm supposed to use and how much: Ivomec® (ivermectin) 1% Injection for Cattle & Swine, 50 ml

As far as the scaly leg, I read that putting Vaseline all over their legs will smother the mites. I coated and rubbed in a lot this morning. I'm going to keep researching this, but I had it on hand so I used it. 

[Beth C]

You actually put the Frontline (how much?) on the birds once a week (for how long) and you didn't see any bad effects from it?

Oops - should clarify that. I was treating with the UltraShield EX once a week. That was the year Frontline spray was a scarce as diamonds (remember when they changed the design of the bottle and ceased production for what seemed like and eternity?) so I used it very sparingly. What they are resistant to probably varies from one region to the next, but I've found dust to be totally inaffective on mine. DE, Sevin, Bengal dust, same result, just made them easier to see as they continued to crawl around in it days later.  I'm still having good luck with Permethrin but sounds like people in other areas are seeing a lot of resistance. That's why I'm so interested in the Spinosad. It's too new for resistance yet, and as an added plus, it's considered organic. But I haven't found any info yet about applying it directly to the birds, only treating their environment.

[John]

I am having a terrible time trying to get rid of mites right now. I Frontlined all of my birds twice now and am still seeing signs of them.

Maybe use the Sevin, DE, and whatever in and on every crack and crevice you can find in the coop along with in any straw or hay that they may hide inside off.  I use straw on the floors in my coops because it is cheaper than wood shavings, but do use wood shavings with some DE or Sevin in the next boxes that the hens lay in.  I also powder the roosts with Sevin.  One reason I push for my 100% plastic nest boxes is because wood nest boxes have the "cracks & crevices" that mites and lice hide in until it is safe to climb back up on the birds.  Another plastic nest box uses the wall of the chicken coop for its back...a great place for mites to call home.  In the old days the farmers would "white wash" the walls to help seal up the wood.
I remember back about 45 years ago visiting the chicken coop at my cousin's place, up near Rose City.  Near the coop door (wood barn type lumber), about eye level there was something off-colored and about the size of my hand...as I got closer and studied it I could see it was thousands (?) of itty bitty bugs...lice, mites, I'm not sure but they weren't a pretty site.  Kind of like that old Brook Benton song about the Boll Weevil.."lookin' for a home".   

[Sharon Yorks]

Yikes! My coop is 8x20 and is basically wall-to-wall straw with 11 pens and 17 hen boxes.  Talk about cracks and crevices. I guess I'll have to keep the nasty little critters at least whipped back until it warms up some and I can get all of the birds out (for more than just a few hours), strip the coop, and set off a dust bomb. I wonder if they make anything to kill mites like they do fleas with those smoke bomb things. I've heard Malathion is good for killing mites. I'm looking into that, trying to find some and read up on it. Sounds like some strong stuff. I was really hoping the Frontline would work and get the hiding ones when they decided to come out. I know it has helped, just doesn't seem to last very long and I'm a little afraid of using it too often.

[Beth C]

I wonder if they make anything to kill mites like they do fleas with those smoke bomb things.

You may be one to something. The flea bombs I got from my vet were rated safe for my parrots as long as I removed them, food & water bowls, etc. same as the dogs & cat, and for the first few months after I put those things off even the pesky house flies were toes up in the window sill. Only thing with a chicken coop would be sealing it up enough for a fogger to work.

[John]

I didn't even know "flea bombs" existed.  Maybe a tarp over the entire coop would help seal it.

[jeeperspeepers-r4us]

I've been putting the Frontline on the birds to control the Northern Fowl mite.
and It has been working, I havn't been seeing anything moving on the skin. However there was a lot of egg attached to the feathers. So, good or bad last weeked I sprayed the Frontline on the feathers that had the eggs and squezzed (like a sponge). Today I'm proud to say no eggs. I'm also spraying the coops with the Spinosad garden spray. Glade to say it doen't have a chemical smell like Malathion. Egg production is up and all look healthy again.

[Tailfeathers]

Three months now and no mites.  Can I start believing that they're gone for good now?   After a couple of years of having to try and beat them down, and get rid of them, I just can't put into words how totally thrilled I am to have mite-free birds once again.  I so hope I never have to go through that again.

God Bless,

[KalJen Farm]

Forgive me if someone has already suggested this. I have found that dipping my birds in Adams flea and tick dip for cats and dogs does wonders. It doesn't kill the eggs, but it immediately kills any live ones crawling around on them. Its disturbing how many of those suckers you find floating in the water after you hip the bird in the clean rinsing bucket.......I just take whatever it is recommended for a cat and pour it in a 5 gallon tub of warm water. Dip the birds in that without letting their face fall in of course. Let them soak for a few seconds and then dip them a few times in another tub with clean warm water.
 I have a feeling the reason i am having lice problems is that i have had starlings overrun my barn loft the past 2 years......i should probably take care of that.....any ideas on how to get wild birds out of a poultry barn without harming the chickens?

[Jean]

Jensen,

It is really important to get the starlings out of your barn!  They can carry MG & MS and also they carry internal and external parasites.  You need to try and cover any holes with hardware cloth and shut any doors that are left open.  Runs can be covered with netting to prevent the starlings from getting in and birds of prey from getting your birds.

For lice, the best thing I have found is Absorbine Brand Ultrashield.  It comes in a black bottle and has natural and synthetic repellents.  It has a 17 day hold, so any lice that hatch during that 14 day period are killed or repelled.  You don't have to put it on the skin, so there should be no problems with egg withdrawal or overdosing and killing your birds.

I spray under each wing, the back of the neck and the butt fluff.  It works wonders and you shouldn't have a problem with lice if you spray your birds in a timely fashion for a month or so.  But, if you have birds coming in, you could get reinfested.... 

[KalJen Farm]

Thank you for the info Jean. I am going to try and have dad destroy the nests today. The hard part is is that my birds are in a REALLY big 30 by 40 20 foot tall metal barn. they r making nests in the rafters. So it not like a really have this small coop or barn that i can just block out the doors. Hoping that after we destroy the nests and kill the chicks they will just leave. They are driving everyone nuts...the barn cats r even trying to climb up and get them! but perhaps closing up the barn completely for a few days would work. they have just been living in the barn these past few seasons so intently i hope it would be enough to keep them out. I really do't mind seeing a starling or two "Around" the barn...just don't want like...20 of them living and making what would be four or five nests.......not good. would moth balls dropped in their cleared nests keep them from rebuilding them next year?

[Tailfeathers]

Four months now and still no mites and no follow up treatments since the one time.

God Bless,

[Schroeder]

Jensen,

It is really important to get the starlings out of your barn!  They can carry MG & MS and also they carry internal and external parasites.  You need to try and cover any holes with hardware cloth and shut any doors that are left open.  Runs can be covered with netting to prevent the starlings from getting in and birds of prey from getting your birds.

For lice, the best thing I have found is Absorbine Brand Ultrashield.  It comes in a black bottle and has natural and synthetic repellents.  It has a 17 day hold, so any lice that hatch during that 14 day period are killed or repelled.  You don't have to put it on the skin, so there should be no problems with egg withdrawal or overdosing and killing your birds.

I spray under each wing, the back of the neck and the butt fluff.  It works wonders and you shouldn't have a problem with lice if you spray your birds in a timely fashion for a month or so.  But, if you have birds coming in, you could get reinfested.... 

Jean, can you provide more details about your comment, "It works wonders and you shouldn't have a problem with lice if you spray your birds in a timely fashion for a month or so"?  I sprayed all of my birds with Ultrashield, as you describe.  How frequently do I need to reapply to make certain it has the desired effect.  I don't have a major infestation, but don't want to take any chances.
Duane

[Jean]

I would spray again after the 17 days and then check everyone for bugs towards the end of the next 17 day period.  You probably will find none.

[Tailfeathers]

Every time I see this post come up I shudder!  I'm so afraid I'm gonna jinx myself. 

Over FIVE months now since the one single treatment and still NO bugs!   

God Bless,