Carbaryl use

[bird brain 58]

Hi all

I'm looking for advice on the best way and time to use Carbaryl to control mites. What has worked for you?

Thanks
Dave

[Conrad Baker]

I put it into the compartments when I put the houses up at the beginning of the season. I add more when they are finished nest building and laying eggs. If I see any sign of mites during feeding of the young (after a nest check), I use a puffer to squirt some under each side of the nest.

[John Miller]

I try to do a nest check here in St. Louis in mid to late June, when a lot of the babies are 10 to 15 days but of course the stages of nests will differ. I tap about 1/8 teaspoon (I use long teaspoon) down into couple of corners of nests in gourds, or in houses I might slip it under the nests. As carbaryl supposedly degrades when exposed to humidity, I wonder if doing it earlier works. It's hard to know as mite infestations vary. I usually find most nests do not have visible mites -- but probably have some -- and then one or two out of 10 or so nests will be having a mite bloom. If you have not kept records of nesting progress -- and sometimes I do and sometimes not as much -- be careful. An advanced nest with young 24, 25 days are prone to jumping out prematurely when you lower.

[bird brain 58]

thank you for the info
much appreciated