This past season I had a real problem with Mites. Every year after my Martins leave I remove the nests and bag them, then power wash and let dry for a week and then soak them in 15 percent bleach water for 20 min. I only soak four Gourds and then change the water. I use a 25 gallon tub, and then let dry for 2 weeks and then store them inside. This year I wanted to touch up some and them and I found Mites in 3 Gourds (Dam). So I took them all to my shop and investigated where they were coming from! And I found out where they were hiding.
On April 20th I Posted that I put roofs over the entrances and there they were in behind the roofs. I can't figure out how they survived the Bleach water. I have removed all of the Roofs.
Louise posted once that the mites lay there eggs in hard to get to places.
I have tore all my racks apart cleaned an washed with 20 percent Bleach water. Power washed the Poles and predator guards inside and out.Sprayed Bug killer on the Ground. We are in a real Deep freeze here with 6 inches of Snow, maybe this will help kill off the dirty little Buggers.
I sure would like some input.
Thanks Dave
A problem with Mites
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Martin man RI
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 7:04 pm
- Location: MA/RI area
Hi Dave
No longer fear the tiny mite. Add teaspoon of Sevin as the martin eggs
hatch also use liquid sevin on crossbars and hard to reach area's this will solve all mite is issues. And you will once again have tons of chicks that want to stay put and not jump. I had the problem a few years back and
was solved with Sevin. And let me tell you it works wonders.
Best of Luck
Ray
No longer fear the tiny mite. Add teaspoon of Sevin as the martin eggs
hatch also use liquid sevin on crossbars and hard to reach area's this will solve all mite is issues. And you will once again have tons of chicks that want to stay put and not jump. I had the problem a few years back and
was solved with Sevin. And let me tell you it works wonders.
Best of Luck
Ray
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Even if your housing is perfectly sterile, the adults will inoculate the housing with a new batch of mites every year they return, hence to need to control at the time of egg laying and hatching....
PMCA Member
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
I have concluded that mites probably can survive months or weeks and probably over winter. this is contrary to mite history I read on the Internet -- that they can't live but a few weeks without a blood meal, but we found several gourds in late October with swarms of mites.
Maybe the weak bleach water won't kill them; I think of it more as bacterial disinfectant.
Reducing the mite load may be all we need to do for the martins as they evolved with mites -- it's a bad infestation or "bloom" that weakens babies, and as Ray said, using a tiny bit of sevin about the times eggs hatch or when babies are about 10 days old will break their cycle of reproduction and keep their numbers low. I tap in about one-fourth teaspoon into the corners of nests, avoiding direct contact with the nest bowl. The PMCA recommends nest changes at 10 and 20 days and that reduces the number of mites.
I find that outbreaks occur more often in natural gourds; maybe more crevices but I suspect more damp spongy spots. Mites love a moist nest and that's why dry pine needles and good drainage seem to help keep their numbers down as well.
John
Maybe the weak bleach water won't kill them; I think of it more as bacterial disinfectant.
Reducing the mite load may be all we need to do for the martins as they evolved with mites -- it's a bad infestation or "bloom" that weakens babies, and as Ray said, using a tiny bit of sevin about the times eggs hatch or when babies are about 10 days old will break their cycle of reproduction and keep their numbers low. I tap in about one-fourth teaspoon into the corners of nests, avoiding direct contact with the nest bowl. The PMCA recommends nest changes at 10 and 20 days and that reduces the number of mites.
I find that outbreaks occur more often in natural gourds; maybe more crevices but I suspect more damp spongy spots. Mites love a moist nest and that's why dry pine needles and good drainage seem to help keep their numbers down as well.
John
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I don't clean my gourds much, just dump out the loose droppings, leave most of the pine needles, rinse them a little bit, and hang them in the garage.
In January, I take the gourds out of the garage, put some sevin dust in them, add some new pine needles, and hang them. Most years, that is all that is necessary. Some years, I must put a 2nd sprinkling of sevin dust. That stops all the mites.
You are doing a considerable amount of work trying to stop the mites and your method must not be working. I suggest a bit of sevin dust to cure your problems. Sevin dust is somewhat controversial, so if you don't want to use it, then ignore this post.
In January, I take the gourds out of the garage, put some sevin dust in them, add some new pine needles, and hang them. Most years, that is all that is necessary. Some years, I must put a 2nd sprinkling of sevin dust. That stops all the mites.
You are doing a considerable amount of work trying to stop the mites and your method must not be working. I suggest a bit of sevin dust to cure your problems. Sevin dust is somewhat controversial, so if you don't want to use it, then ignore this post.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Well thanks for all the input and so fast. I do use Seven Dust like you all say, but they are still here. I also use pine needles for a prenest but the Martins push them up to the back and add their own material.including mud dams.
I put Eastern Cedar chips in my Dog houses and this keeps fleas away. I'm Going to do this with my Gourds along with Pine Needles this season. Also do like Ray posted, spray the Rack with Liquid Seven.
My Mite problem last season was quite large. they were on and in Gourds on the Racks on the poles on and in the Predator Guards and on the ground. I have been bitten several times and man do they itch.
Thanks again!
Dave
I put Eastern Cedar chips in my Dog houses and this keeps fleas away. I'm Going to do this with my Gourds along with Pine Needles this season. Also do like Ray posted, spray the Rack with Liquid Seven.
My Mite problem last season was quite large. they were on and in Gourds on the Racks on the poles on and in the Predator Guards and on the ground. I have been bitten several times and man do they itch.
Thanks again!
Dave
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DebA
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
- Location: Pratt County/Kansas
- Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
Good luck this next year Dave and may you kick some mite backside! Sounds like you are doing everything and anything. I will look forward to your further bugger updates.
Deb
Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Dave
I'm concerned the chips will retain moisture and a damp environment supports mites. Also, some folks drill out gourd drain holes a little larger to assure drainage and let more air in.
dry white pine works best in a deep gourd where you can swirl it in and pat it down. I find in house nest trays the martins push it aside as it's light weight and if your gourds are more flat across the bottoms, they may be why they are pushing it aside. Try chopping it up some, but do what works for you. Every site is different and a wise landlord once said that what works at one site may not work at another.
John
I'm concerned the chips will retain moisture and a damp environment supports mites. Also, some folks drill out gourd drain holes a little larger to assure drainage and let more air in.
dry white pine works best in a deep gourd where you can swirl it in and pat it down. I find in house nest trays the martins push it aside as it's light weight and if your gourds are more flat across the bottoms, they may be why they are pushing it aside. Try chopping it up some, but do what works for you. Every site is different and a wise landlord once said that what works at one site may not work at another.
John
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
If you still have mites after applying sevin dust, then you may have a bad product. I would buy some new sevin dust.
Sevin dust will last a long time if it remains dry. It will lose all of its effectiveness after about 7 to 10 days if it gets wet. The mites may gradually return, and if you have damp nests, they may multiply quickly. Also, small amounts of nesting material dry quicker than large amounts, so maybe you have too much nesting material (However, I never had that problem)
Two solutions:
1)make the housing so the nests remain dry. Some people hang gourds by wires, and the water runs into the gourds thru the wire holes. If that is happening, then the hanging holes can be fixed so that they do not leak water.
2)make a 2nd or 3rd application if necessary, try to catch them in the early stages before they cause the babies to jump.
Sevin dust will last a long time if it remains dry. It will lose all of its effectiveness after about 7 to 10 days if it gets wet. The mites may gradually return, and if you have damp nests, they may multiply quickly. Also, small amounts of nesting material dry quicker than large amounts, so maybe you have too much nesting material (However, I never had that problem)
Two solutions:
1)make the housing so the nests remain dry. Some people hang gourds by wires, and the water runs into the gourds thru the wire holes. If that is happening, then the hanging holes can be fixed so that they do not leak water.
2)make a 2nd or 3rd application if necessary, try to catch them in the early stages before they cause the babies to jump.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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JL Murray
Dave, Placing a round piece of plastic canvas under the nesting material will also help to keep the nest's dry!
Thanks again for your Post. The Seven Dust is new every year for I use it on my garden too. The drain holes are 3/8 now. I do hang my Gourds on wire buy I put a lexal Tee-Pee shaped gobb just above where it goe's into the Gourd. As for the Cedar chips. They have an odor that repels insects. I'm not going to use very much for I know they will draw some dampness. It will be under the Pine Needles. Most all of my nest stay dry.The ones that face South get some moisture from the Spring rain that blows in from the South.
Ray! I'm not sure I understand what you mean about the plastic. I think it would stop the venting from the bottom. Maybe you could explain it better so that this old Brain can understand.
Thanks again!
Dave
Ray! I'm not sure I understand what you mean about the plastic. I think it would stop the venting from the bottom. Maybe you could explain it better so that this old Brain can understand.
Thanks again!
Dave
JL Thanks for the link! I think this will solve the problem of keeping the nest dry and be a good place to put some Seven Dust. I have used 1/4 size wire mesh but it moves around while nest building and the wire ends are sharp. This might be a good place to put Cedar shavings under then the baby's won't touch them if it draws dampness. Also the wire tie downs are a good deal. Why didn't I think think of this 
Like I said this ole brain needs jogged once in awhile 
Thanks Dave
Like I said this ole brain needs jogged once in awhile Thanks Dave
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JL Murray
Dave you can also use a couple plastic zip ties if you prefer in place of the wire ties
Just a thought -- Be sure what you are seeing is mites and not swallow bugs. Swallow bugs are bigger than mites and will not respond to sevin as well. Swallow bugs might require spraying the housing with RAID at seasons end.
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
Wyatt, I had swallow bugs in my t-14 for two years in a row, like you said they crawled through it covered in dust and didn't do anything. I know it might not be recommended to spray inside the house but that's how I got rid of them. After my birds were gone I sprayed inside and shut the doors for a few days then opened them back up to air out for a few weeks.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
Sevin worked great for me. I sprinkled a little in the cedar shavings I placed there after eggs were laid. Next year I will have a nice amount of pine needles to place in the nests too.
I didn't have too much of a problem with mites, though, just two of my new gourds had them crawling all over the tunnel, top, and entry of it. I noticed they were also crawling inside the screw top lid, so I took a dampened q-tip, dipped in sevin dust, and glided it around the inside of the lid, and as the inside of the lid was damp from moisture anyway, I also sprinkled some there. It sure did the trick. I also tried something that has worked well when I see aphids on my roses. I crush the aphids between my fingers, and had no more problems, with them on the roses. I also tried this with the mites, just mashing them all over the outside, of the gourd. It seems to repel them in my humble opinion.
Chris M
NE Kansas
I didn't have too much of a problem with mites, though, just two of my new gourds had them crawling all over the tunnel, top, and entry of it. I noticed they were also crawling inside the screw top lid, so I took a dampened q-tip, dipped in sevin dust, and glided it around the inside of the lid, and as the inside of the lid was damp from moisture anyway, I also sprinkled some there. It sure did the trick. I also tried something that has worked well when I see aphids on my roses. I crush the aphids between my fingers, and had no more problems, with them on the roses. I also tried this with the mites, just mashing them all over the outside, of the gourd. It seems to repel them in my humble opinion.
Chris M
NE Kansas