Nest Mites

[MJM]

I use Poultry Dust, which you can buy at any tractor supply. It's literally designed to put directly on birds (chickens, other) to treat for mites. I've never lost a chicken or a martin using it and I don't have to worry about overdosing.

I know a lot of people use Sevin, but I can't imagine putting that anywhere near living creatures. Humans get cancer from it... I can only imagine the long-term genetic anomalies landlords are creating in their birds using that stuff.

[Stingray]

You could use diatomaceous earth. It is safe for you and the birds.

I had read that the diatomaceous earth causes lung irritation to babies and parents when the birds flap their wings inside the compartment. The wing movement gets the earth to float around and get inhaled by the birds.

Conrad,
Good info.
Thank you for sharing.
You are correct.


Google
''diatomaceous earth for purple martins''
Here is a quote from a thread on this forum.

There's no question that DE is effective at controlling some, but not all parasites.
The main reason the PMCA ceased recommending it, is due to DE being an inhalation hazard for the Martins.
DE is linked to silicosis, and other lung diseases in animals.
PMCA nest cam footage showed clouds of airborne DE in the nest area, that were being stirred up by the nestlings exercising their wings.
Here is the article Peggy mentioned, that goes into much greater detail:

[Muffen02]

Thank you for the article. I put a little under the straw before the Martins arrive. Not enough to blow around. But enough to kill the mites if they get in the nest. But I will reconsider the matter.

[Muffen02]

I like the idea of the Poultry Dust. I will check into that as well