Question on changing nest to avoid mites.

[brent]

Hi all. I have a very late nesting pair. ASY female and SY male. The chicks started hatching yesterday. I did a nest check today and there are 3 young and 1 egg. The parent birds seem very responsible and I want this to be a successful nest. The eggs were laid in a left over nest from the season. I see no evidence of mites but I’m considering changing out the nest after a few days to give them a fresh nest and to avoid mites. What are your thoughts? Should I leave it alone and just monitor and change it if it is necessary or just change it? Thoughts? Thanks, Brent

[John Miller]

You don't want to change the nest until the babies are 10 days at least. When they are still tiny, they ideally need a small, tight nest bowl so they can cling together for warmth and helping assure that each one gets fed. Sometimes if the parents are poor nest builders, newly hatched ones get scattered and may not survive. So unless you observe a mite "bloom," be cautious.

[dsonyay]

Brent— Maybe sprinkle a very tiny bit of Sevin dust in the corners of the nest and then later when they are old enough, do the nest change. Good luck buddy! That’s definitely a late one.

[Unk Bond]

Hello
From Mr Google

To control bird mites in Purple Martin nests, the most effective method is to replace the nesting material after the young birds are 9-10 days old, when their feathers are developing. This involves removing the old nest, cleaning the cavity, and adding fresh nesting material. Avoid using pesticides or cleaning products directly in the nest, as they can harm the birds.

=================

How do you get rid of mites in a bird's nest?
We uses food grade diatomaceous earth to kill a majority of them. It will kill mites on birds, bedding, and other stuff of the sorts. Its also safe to eat as long as you get food safe grade . We soaked toys, pearches, and decorations in hot water with Listerine, as well is sparying down cages with the mix.

Later Unk

[Conrad Baker]

I don't feel nest changes are a real solution. If the birds are infested, and the nest cavity is infested, any new material you put in there will soon be infested. Sevin or other dust designed to kill the mites is probably the only way. Prevention (Sevin) is a better approach than reaction (nest changes, etc). I would just leave it as is but monitor. If you see any mite activity, then treat again with Sevin.

[flyin-lowe]

If I didn't see an infestation of mites I would just treat with a small amount of seven. A treatment now should last until they fledge, assuming your nest stay dry. I am not sure preemptively doing a nest change would have much impact on future mite outbreaks.

[Martintown33]

Hi Brent.. putting a little sevin dust as prevention , won’t hurt.. if you want to change the nest out, waiting til they have their feathers is best.. but Conrad is right, a changeout alone , won’t prevent or stop mites. Believe me, after the mite issues I had this season, a nest changeout did absolutely nothing, when mites have infested the cavity..
Good luck on finishing up… my one gourd of late nesters , will fledge in about 7 days or so..
Rob

[brent]

I’ll nest check again tomorrow or Monday. I’m grateful for all the responses. The old nest that they’re in were treated at the beginning of the season with just a little Sevin (once at pre-nesting and again when I saw nest building). No mite problem all season. Had 5 chicks fledge from that nest. Hoping no mites when I check again. Thanks again. Brent

[Thomas Maddox]

I say, also, just monitor for now. You are a great landlord and take awesome care of your PMs. I wonder just how late parents will hang around in Louisiana before they get the urge to migrate?

[Martintown33]

Hi Thomas. If conditions are good in the nest, no mites, not excessive heat, etc.. the late nesting parents will usually finish up. I have a late nest that should fledge in about 7 days or so. The Parents are being very good about feeding. Just because most of the colony might be gone, I think the late nesters know, that the big migration back to Brazil, doesn’t occur till august. Right now, the martins are starting to gather at the local “main” roost, but don’t actually leave until august, in our area of se Louisiana..
Rob