mite control

SteveJ · Sun Apr 27, 2014 7:09 am

Hi Guys,
In Ontario, we can't get Sevin or DE anymore. It's banded in Ontario for the last two to three years but I can't find any information on another product that I can use as a substitute. Anyone have any ideas?

Ed Svetich-WI · Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:27 pm

Steve,

I suggest speaking with someone who raises chickens or other fowl for human consumption.

Ed

Guest · Sun Apr 27, 2014 7:47 pm

Diatomaceous earth is supposed to work on mites. From wikipedia "Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, mild abrasive in products including toothpaste, mechanical insecticide. " It is a crushed product that looks like a powder. In the U.S. it is sold at home improvement stores.

Ed Pace · Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:28 pm

Steve, do some research on Avian Insect Liquidator, I used it .late in the year and was planning on using it this year. The distributors say that they sell a lot of it to major zoos, it's made for birds. Ph# 888 588 3892. I saw it here on a thread last year. Good luck. Ed

Louise Chambers · Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:52 pm

Penny Halstead, the martin rehab expert, advises against using AIL - will get some more info from her tomorrow.

Ed Svetich-WI · Mon Apr 28, 2014 8:51 am

I may be mistaken about DE, but I think its' use has been discouraged quite some time ago by the PMCA. I remember reading in the Update that nestlings exercising their wings inside nest cavities raised a cloud of DE dust which, when inhaled, caused problems in their respiratory systems. As a result, the use of DE, which had been used previously, was no longer felt appropriate.

Please correct me if I am incorrect.

Ed

Ed Pace · Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:06 am

Hi Ed,if you are referring to my thread I was talking about AIL not De. You are right that DE has been found to be a possable danger to baby martins. Louise wll let us know about AIL (avain insect liquidator),it is made in Australia.

Louise Chambers · Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:08 am

You are right, Ed - PMCA tried it years ago, but nestcam use showed that growing nestlings stirred up clouds of dust in nest (whether there was DE under nest material or not) - dust of deteriorating nest material, feather sheaths, etc - and breathing dust from DE, getting it in eyes or nostrils, is best avoided.

Ed Svetich-WI · Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:45 am

Ed Pace,

No, I realize you did not reference DE. I was motivated by the posts that did and wanted to
clarify that DE was not an acceptable miticide/insecticide.

Ed

Ed Pace · Mon Apr 28, 2014 11:10 am

Ed S. My mistake , it slipped my mind that the first post was about DE. It's a good topic for this time of the year anyway.
Ed P

DAVE · Mon Apr 28, 2014 11:47 am

I'm not sure if you have a Tractor Supply where you live but they carry different types of insecticide for chickens.
Dave

SteveJ · Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:19 pm

Thanks Dave & Ed, We do have a TSC store and I'll check them out. I'm trying to get Martins at my house with no luck, I had 4 pair at the cottage last year but due to lack of experience and afraid to touch the nests too much, I had a few fatalities from a mite infestation and the chick jumping out of the nest.
This year I want to be ready to tackle the problem. My mom & dad are going to Chicago in the next little bit to take my aunt back. I might see if they can pick up a container of Sevin for me.