Controling Mites

[Gene Crosby]

I read where someone stated they used Sevin to help control mites. What is Sevin, where can I find some, and how is it used.

Thank You

[Joe Zorn]

Stan, Many use it.

Seven Dust from any garden supply. Just aske for SEVEN DUST. The kind you sprinkle on your tomato plants, etc. The can I use is about the size of a coke can in diameter, but about 10" tall.

A teaspoon or so in each cavaity before the start of each season, and then at next check time. I put it in the BOTTOM of the nest, not in the nesting matirials.

I has not affected my babies in any way that I can tell, except that they are not plagued with mites!

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Stan:

I use both Seven liquid and powder. When I first put up my housing, usually a couple of weeks before expected first arrival, I will give each cavity a squirt or two of liquid seven. When I see the first egg in a nest, I will put about a half teaspoon of Seven powder under the nest by lifting up the pine needles. I again apply Seven powder when the nestlings are between 7 & 10 day old. This system has worked well for me. Keep in mind if Seven powder becomes wet it will become ineffective and you can re-apply.

Tim

[joeincan]

One suggestion....If you have gourds I would use spray sevin on the threaded portion of the access lid. For some reason mites congregate there.

[Indiana_Tom]

Hi Stan,

I used Sevin dust last year and as described above. I am careful to put it only under the nesting materials so as to keep it away from the martins as much as possible. It is made to be acceptable in contact with animals but it is probably not good (in direct contact) with the babies. Any bugs, and it will take care of most, will crawl into the bedding and get a coating of it. Keep in mind that when it gets wet, it losses it's effect.
Last year, I did not use it until I noticed the bugs in the gourds. There are several kinds that cause the birds a problem and they will multiply rapidly. On my gourds, I thought I was getting mold. I could see it from the ground and wasn't too worried. When I lowered the rack, it turned out to be thousands of small black bugs. I used a half teaspoon of Sevin dust as described and sprayed the OUTSIDE of the gourd with an insecticide, being very careful not to get the spray inside. I taped all openings before spraying. That took care of the bugs in a jiffy. You can have problems with flies also and the outside spray will keep them at a distance also.
There are some that do not believe in the powder or the spray. It is a decision for each landlord. I read a lot about it, used it carefully and think it is the best method for controlling bugs and critters.
Hope this helps you make your decision.

Indiana_Tom

[Gene Crosby]

I would like to say thank you to everybody. I will give it a try.

[birdy girl]

We use the 5% sevin dust. It controls mites very well. We will add a little each time we do nest checks even if a few mites are present on the outside of the gourd or housing.

[CraigMo.]

I use both dust and spray. I only use 1/4 tsp per compartment and spray a squirt or 2 on lids of gourds. When applying the stuff be upwind so either dust or spray does not get on ya(mainly eyes and lungs). I do get it on my skin but try to avoid eyes and lungs.

[Guest]

I don't disagree with any post here because I personally know landlord friends who use seven and it works with no obvious ill effects. That being said I control mites with nest changes. I change the nest when the babies are about 10 days old, ( need it or not ). I remove the young and place them in a bucket lined with pine shavings. I then remove the nest and WASH the inside and out of the gourd. I then wipe down the inside and out of the gourd with rubbing alcohol. I make a new nest of pine needles and replace the young. So far this has been effective for me. If I notice bugs between the change cycle I replace the nest again. That is given they are not close to fledging.
Just thought I would give another perspective