Need help ASAP!!!

[Jim Spetzman]

Just did a nest check and on one of my 5 houses there were a lot of reddish very small buggs or mites that are smaller than black pepper? I didnt see much on the young birds but I could see them all over the white house. They were on my clothes so I took they off and sprayed them with denatured alchole and then took a shower. Is this a problem that Seven will take care of? Thanks, Jim

[rdhd]

Yes Sevin will do the trick.

[wyatt]

Yes, 1/4 teaspoon sevin dust should take care of it. By the way - 8:30 a.m. sounds kind of early for a nest check? I usually try to wait until around noon.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Jim, you have mites in the cavity, and yes, Sevin will take care of them. I would use about 1/4 teaspoon, either under the nest, or around the edges. The mites will probably be gone in 24 hours.

[Linda Reynolds]

Jim, so sorry to read about the infestation in your nests........I agree with the others..........a little Sevin goes a long way in keeping martins and landlords happy.

Here is an article that you might find of interest after you finish applying Sevin, and showering, showering, and showering..........

http://www.purplemartin.org/update/Parasites.html

[Jim Spetzman]

Well, 48 hours ago, I did all nest changes and applied Sevin and NOT a very big change in the bug situation. Maybe 30% less? The nests were dry. Any more ideas??? Thanks, Jim

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Jim:

Whenever I had a bad case of mites in and on, gourds, I would spray the outside with liquid seven in addition to applying sevin powder under the nests. Just make sure you cover the entrance hole so you don't accidentely spray sevin on the young. This usually took care of the problem within 24 hours.

Tim

[Robbo]

Do nest changes. Keep nest dry. Sevin. I have not lost any babies yet this year or the last 2 doing this.

[Jim Spetzman]

Jim:

Whenever I had a bad case of mites in and on, gourds, I would spray the outside with liquid seven in addition to applying sevin powder under the nests. Just make sure you cover the entrance hole so you don't accidentely spray sevin on the young. This usually took care of the problem within 24 hours.

Tim

I just went and got some liquid sevin and pluged the holes with styrofoam cups and sprayed the outsides and will see what the results are tommorrow. Thanks, Jim

[wyatt]

Jim, if that doesn't work can you post a picture of them? I know when I was losing the battle with what I thought were mites it turned out they weren't mites at all - they were swallow bugs which are bigger than mites.

From your description it sounds like mites, but just in case they haven't cleared up by tomorrow a picture may help.

[Linda Reynolds]

Jim, wyatt posed a VERY credible question while also sharing his problem with an infestation at his colony.

Is there any way you can provide a photo?

Swallow bugs are quite a different *animal* than mites........so it is important to specifically identify what it is that you are dealing with.

I am not 100% sure, but do not believe Sevin will correct a swallow bug infestation.

Please share more information if you can.

Here are some links to swallowbug information. If these are not the parasites infesting your housing, then they are probably mites as you first described.

Swallow Bug info:

http://bugguide.net/node/view/252639

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2010/01/23/ ... r-bed-bug/

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05574.html

[Jim Spetzman]

Well, 6 days later and the bugs are about 99% gone. we had a storm go thru and I lost power for 2 days so I couldnt post. The bugs look like the last pic on the site that Linda posted but they were more reddish and even smaller when on my hand. I think the key to the bug situation is like what was said, put sevin on the nests at 10days and at 20 days whether you have any bugs or not. I still have 31 happy and healthy young ready to go. How many days from hatching to fledging does it take??? thanks ahead for all the help!!! Jim

[GeneP]

How many days from hatching to fledging does it take???

PMCA says 26 to 32 days after hatching.