Snake Doctor
81 posts
Dec 07, 2007
5:43 PM
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Have any of you used diatomacious earth to take care of mites etc.? I cut it with 7 dust, put it in a metal pan like used for changing oil in a car. My Bantams love to take a dust bath in the stuff and I have no problems with mites. Will the Rollers dust in it if they are given the opprtunity?
SD
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J_Star
1442 posts
Dec 07, 2007
6:00 PM
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Steal the metal container from the bantam for a couple of days and put it in the rollers loft and see for yourself if they would figure it out.
Jay
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Electric-man
933 posts
Dec 07, 2007
9:24 PM
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I don't remember ever seeing my birds taking dirt baths! Try it though and if it works, let us know! I do put seven dust in a nylon (panty hose) stocking and pat them down once in awhile when I see just a bird or two with parasites. I also dust the squabs and sprinkle it around the nestbox in the summer time when the mosquitoes are eating on them! If I see parasites on several birds, I dip them in permithrin(sp)!
Some guys will put seven dust in a stocking and hang it in the middle of the loft where the birds will bump it often when they fly around and its kind of like a self duster!
Just some ideas!
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Val
"Site Moderator"
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SAT Roller
70 posts
Dec 13, 2007
10:50 AM
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Hang a pest strip in your loft in the warm months and you will not have problems with bugs including mosquitoes.
Richard
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RUDY..ZUPPPPP
GOLD MEMBER
2467 posts
Feb 01, 2009
5:52 AM
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?
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RUDY PAYEN
PANCHO VILLA LOFT
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JDA
GOLD MEMBER
146 posts
Feb 01, 2009
6:15 AM
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SAT Roller-Can you buy pest strips? I had Shell Pest strips hanging in my loft all the time in the 70s and 80s.Have not seen them in years with all the banding of products for use on pest. JDA
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Lipper
GOLD MEMBER
238 posts
Feb 01, 2009
2:55 PM
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Mike Trevis
The Bigger the Dream the Bigger the Leap
Diatomacious earth has micro organisms that eat away at mironutrients and other micro elements. Mites and lice are not micro organisms, so no it will not work for this.. Cultered yogurt and diatomacious earth are good for the stomach as the contain beneficial bacteria that help to make your stomache work better. If you have a stomache ailment eat a cup of cultured yogurt 3 times a day for two days and no more tummy ache..Hope this helps a bit...
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RodSD
164 posts
Feb 01, 2009
7:27 PM
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Diatomacious earth acts like small sharp objects slicing mites/lice bodies as I've read. Some say it works. I've never tried it.
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Lipper
GOLD MEMBER
243 posts
Feb 01, 2009
7:37 PM
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Mike Trevis
The Bigger the Dream the Bigger the Leap
Ed, the best possilbe explanation would be comparable to a woodtick on a dog....no better
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Bill C
209 posts
Feb 01, 2009
9:53 PM
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Now that you mention it I will use some of it in the bottom of the nest boxes. It only works if it is dry and stays dry. I think this might be good for those pigeon flys that fly around in cirlces and drives me nuts. I am always worried my neighbors have them on their portch and mignt get mad at me with all these pigeons, plus I got 6 egglayer hens last year.
I bought some to put under my house since I have a crawl space. ants and insects wont crawl over it like RodSD said it is has small rough sharp edges and sucks the oils out of the bugs and will kill them if they walk over it. It may not kill them on the spot but if they walk on it, it will eventually kill them because they cannot remove the stuff off their bodies.
I dunk my bird to get rid of lice before the molt and after the molt each year. In summer I use Jedds loft paint. It is not a paint at all it is mild poison that you paint on the perches when the birds are out flying around ( I scrape the kit boxes down first ) you put it on the perches with a paint brush it is like putting on water (liquid) and it gets rid of mites,lice and any bugs in the loft. I have wire floors and wire on top edges so it get plenty of air. Plus I leave the trap open for a day with wire over it just to make sure I do not overdose the birds. I have never had a problem with the birds looking sick or anything with the loft paint. Bill C
Last Edited by on Feb 01, 2009 9:56 PM
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Lipper
GOLD MEMBER
247 posts
Feb 02, 2009
12:21 AM
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Mike Trevis
The Bigger the Dream the Bigger the Leap
Hey Bill,
It will only work on bacteria...I will guarantee this.. It is much better to feed some to your birds...There is a big misconception here.. I work with these M/O's daily....One thimble full of these organisms is able to digest 2000 lbs of solid waste...hard to believe hey...you must remember that in a matter of hours they have great,great,great,great grandchildren....these are microorganisms...you cannot see them...you can see mites...they cannot overwhelm mites and lice...it would be like you and some buddies trying to take on king kong...they are just beneficial bacteria..not a organism to say..
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Snake Doctor
GOLD MEMBER
365 posts
Feb 02, 2009
1:34 PM
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I have learned a lot since I asked this question over a year ago now. DE is the remains, or shells of Diatoms, a type of hard shelled algae. It is mostly silica and has sharp edges that when a bug is exposed to DE it cuts through the exoskeleton and the die of dehydration from the loss of fluid. It works very, very well, but is not fast. It takes a little while for the bugs to bleed to death. It does work well as a wormer, mix a little with your grain and feed it to your birds. Mix it with your grain and it will protect from weevils. It is also a very good polish, make a paste an rub rust and tarnish from knife blades, etc.and it will work in a rock tumbler to polish stones. Over all goooooood stuff!
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"Semper Fi"
SD
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Bill C
210 posts
Feb 02, 2009
8:35 PM
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Lipper I think you have a different product in mind. Diotomaceous earth, which is made of fossilized water plants so tiny and sharp that they lacerate the incsect body and cause death by dehydration within 48 hours. I copied that from my Peacefull Valley Farms magazie for organic gardening. It will kill any kind of insect if it comes into contact with them. I do not think I would put it on the birds just because it would seem itchy to them, but I guess you could give them a bath the next day or so. BIll C
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