How to apply Sevin dust?

[zoefluf]

Only one month away from the arrival of the scouts here in Southeast Louisiana and I'm getting ready to fill my Troyers with pine needles. In the past, I've just put about 1/4 teaspoon of sevin at the bottom of the gourd and then put in the pine needles. Is this the correct way to do it?

I seem to recall reading a post where someone said that they put the pine needles in a bag and put in some sevin dust and shake it so that it gets on all of the pine needles. That seems a little extreme to me and not at all healthy for the birds. But, I was thinking perhaps if you put a small amount of pine needles that have the sevin dust on them at the bottom of the gourd and then fill the rest of the gourd with fresh "sevin free" pine needles that it would be more effective in keeping down the mite infestations. I lost the second brood in a barnswallow nest on my porch last season due to mite infestation and don't want that to happen ever again, especially not to my PM's. It was very traumatic for me.

I want to do the right thing and would appreciate any advice on the matter.
Jeanne

[flyin-lowe]

Do a search on here for Seven Dust and you should get more then enough info. Some people use it and some don't so you will likely hear the pros and cons of using it.

[zoefluf]

Flyin-lowe,

Oh my gosh! I just read a few of the old posts on the subject of sevin and now realize what a can of worms I may have opened on this controvercial subject.

But, I am still interested in the opinions of my fellow forum family. I highly respect all of their advice and value their experience and opinions.

After consideration and study I will make up my own mind on the matter.
Thanks for the advice.
Jeanne

[Guest]

I use it and know many who do as well. There may be some merit to some logic against but there are well established Landlords who use it and would nort change.....as a parallel some medical uses for drugs far out weigh the risks of using the drugs.

I will continue as I had a bad experience with mites early last year. I simply sprinkled 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon over the top of the pine straw and then rapped on the side of the housing to disperse it down into the straw. I did this before any hatch and never had to do it again even tho some do two applications.

dick

[Conrad Baker]

You can also buy the liquid Sevin in a spray bottle. A large bottle at the hardware store was $ 8.00. You can spray the nest and the inside of the compartments before you put the houses up. Let the liquid dry completely ( I'd give it a couple of days).
Last year I used the 5% powder, and with a 2 inch paintbrush, sprinkled it over the nest and brushed the walls and floors of the houses. I did not have any mites that I know of, and most importantly, no jumpers.
This year I will start with the liquid spray when I first put up the houses, and after nest checks, if needed will follow up with the 5% powder.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Jeanne:

I treat my nest with seven about like Conrad has described. When I first put up my housing, I spray the inside with liquid seven. After all the eggs have been laid, I sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of 5% seven powder in the corners of the nest and tamp it down so it settles to the bottom. When the nestlings are 7 to 10 days old, I repeat another application of the 5% powder. I have never had a mite problem.

If you decide to use seven keep in mind, that once seven becomes wet, it is rendered useless. If you have a storm where the nests become wet, you will need to keep an eye on the nest to see if another application is necessary.

Tim

[Dave S (Texas)]

Using any kind of 'dust' within the nest area is a bad idea. There is a lot activity in the nest when it contains chicks (wing flapping etc), and all the commotion gets the dust into the air. Dust is not good for the lungs of the youngsters or adults. Liquid Sevin is the proper product to use. I use the method Victor Stoll recommended to me many years ago when I started my little colony. I suggest reading the recent article by Victor, posted in May 2007 titled "I can no longer stay silent". I hope you have great success with your colony this season.