INFESTATION!!!
-
lovinlife62
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 11:44 am
- Location: LA/Thibodaux
Did a nest check today and found a horrible infestation in my nesting boxes most of the bugs seemed to be on the door of the birdhouse, very tiny things and hundreds of them!!!! any clue, Is there something I can put in there to eliminate them without harming babies!!! most of my birds are just about ready to fledge!!! I do have several nests with eggs . I also had a nest that just fledged 3 young and now there is a brand new nest in this same box!!!!!
-
Larry A Kronemeyer
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 5:27 pm
- Location: Illinois/Millstadt
Wipe outside with alcohol and use Seven powder under nest and Seven liquid wipe on outside, if it rains redo outside. If birds are close to fledge, must be careful as mites will cause premature jumps. If not, put in new nesting material, wear gloves or you will get creepy crawlies.
Larry and Judy Kronemeyer
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA
-
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
Seven Dust is very effective, it does NOT take much. Apply a teaspoon full under the nesting material, and the mites will be gone in a day or two. Or do as Larry said above, his method will get rid of them quicker, and is a very safe way to use the seven insecticide. Seven is an insecticide that has been used safely in gardens for at least 30 years, and it can be purchased at any garden center or any box store or any feed store. It can be purchased in a powder form or in a liquid form.
Every year, before I hang the gourds, I sprinkle a bit of seven powder under the nesting material, that keeps the mites away most years, but some years we will need a second application.
Every year, before I hang the gourds, I sprinkle a bit of seven powder under the nesting material, that keeps the mites away most years, but some years we will need a second application.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
-
lovinlife62
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 11:44 am
- Location: LA/Thibodaux
Thanks for the info will surely try it. I will use the alcohol and wipe the doors down this am! I have sevin dust as well
-
Craig Dyer
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 2:24 pm
- Location: Nevada, TX
- Martin Colony History: Area is rural. Offer 28 compartments...metal housing (Lonestar Goliad) & Supergourds all w/crescent entrance holes. Purple martins are abundant here and eager for quality, well maintained, safe housing. Expect near 100% occupancy this season.
As mentioned Sevin dust works great. I use 1/8th of a teaspoon as a little goes a long way. If you use nest trays just sprinkle some under the tray. The mites crawl all over the interior of the nest cavity and will track through the Sevin dust and die. Heat, rain & humidity will shorten the length of time that the dust is effective. It biodegrades quickly. Sometimes I have to apply several times a season.
Craig Dyer
Entomology mites for photo which sounds like your issue. You did not mention sparrows in your colony. They can carry mites and infect your house colony. My brother had this happen on Bluebird Box. It seems like the non cedar box of white pine or other material was the house infected that
had trouble with sparrows. He kept removing the newly introduced materials. Foxie.
had trouble with sparrows. He kept removing the newly introduced materials. Foxie.