Red Mite

[owain20]

Well we have had a problem in the shed for sometime with red mite ever since we were given wooden flight cages which brought them into the shed, we sold all the canaries because of a very poor breeding season because of the mite. Lucky the mite have not killed any other chicks as we do not have a problem with them in the boxes only these flight cages we were given so 2 have now gone with only one remaining that has been painted and all cracks sealed.

We use bleach on the shed floor, dettol in the flights and cages and outside surfaces and have even bought harkamitex to spray but it doesnt really seem to do anything at all to the mites, but as i say luckly they have not effected the chicks we have bred.

We are now searching for other things to use to keep mites away,
So let this be a warning to anyone buying second hand wood cages or boxes you never know whats creeping about on them!!

[Hezz]

Sorry you have had a hard time with it all Owain, but a timely warning for breeders for sure. Thank you.

[owain20]

Oct 24, 2011 1:00:19 GMT Hezz said:

Sorry you have had a hard time with it all Owain, but a timely warning for breeders for sure. Thank you.

Yes Hezz.

[barrieshutt]

The best product on the market for red mites

www.oaktreepoultry.co.uk/diatomaceous.php?gclid=CP7-spC0gawCFWxItAodJhYRKw

I use a puffer and puff it into cracks and perch ends , don't feed it to your birds , mix a little with nest box shavings also works.

PS1 sells it from his website shop

[11panos04]

Wood,cracks,heat and moister and generallly bad and filthy condition are the main reason for mites.They make a perfect environment for them.That s the main reason why the most of the breeders,talking bout canaries,have wired cages,no wood.Wood needs really good and constant care to be safe.

Thank you

[barrieshutt]

Oct 24, 2011 14:53:13 GMT 11panos04 said:

Wood,cracks,heat and moister and generallly bad and filthy condition are the main reason for mites.They make a perfect environment for them.That s the main reason why the most of the breeders,talking bout canaries,have wired cages,no wood.Wood needs really good and constant care to be safe.

Thank you

Wise words Panos, this is why all my joints are filled in with decorators caulk

[owain20]

Oct 24, 2011 14:53:13 GMT 11panos04 said:

Wood,cracks,heat and moister and generallly bad and filthy condition are the main reason for mites.They make a perfect environment for them.That s the main reason why the most of the breeders,talking bout canaries,have wired cages,no wood.Wood needs really good and constant care to be safe.

Thank you

Well Panos it certainly wasnt bad and filthy conditions that caused mites for me!!

Canary breeders in the UK us wooden cages not wire cages.

[owain20]

Oct 24, 2011 13:21:55 GMT barrieshutt said:

The best product on the market for red mites

www.oaktreepoultry.co.uk/diatomaceous.php?gclid=CP7-spC0gawCFWxItAodJhYRKw

I use a puffer and puff it into cracks and perch ends , don't feed it to your birds , mix a little with nest box shavings also works.

PS1 sells it from his website shop

Yes i have read alot about this stuff, but i have also read you have to use a fair amount for it to work.

My worry with powders is if the bird digest it, I use johnsons mite powder in the boxes, never found any mites in the boxes.

Anyone can have mites, some people put it down to filthy conditions but you can still have them if the shed is clean!

New birds can bring them into the shed, second hand cages, nestboxes.. even show cages from show halls.

[barrieshutt]

Oct 24, 2011 15:48:54 GMT @owain20 said:

Oct 24, 2011 14:53:13 GMT 11panos04 said:

Wood,cracks,heat and moister and generallly bad and filthy condition are the main reason for mites.They make a perfect environment for them.That s the main reason why the most of the breeders,talking bout canaries,have wired cages,no wood.Wood needs really good and constant care to be safe.

Thank you

Well Panos it certainly wasnt bad and filthy conditions that caused mites for me!!

Canary breeders in the UK us wooden cages not wire cages.

we all know they can be carried into our birdrooms on our clothing or on the wind Owain and even the cleanest birdroom can become infested, one good reason why we must all keep on top of the problem

[brian1]

Oct 23, 2011 20:14:36 GMT @owain20 said:

Well we have had a problem in the shed for sometime with red mite ever since we were given wooden flight cages which brought them into the shed, we sold all the canaries because of a very poor breeding season because of the mite. Lucky the mite have not killed any other chicks as we do not have a problem with them in the boxes only these flight cages we were given so 2 have now gone with only one remaining that has been painted and all cracks sealed.

We use bleach on the shed floor, dettol in the flights and cages and outside surfaces and have even bought harkamitex to spray but it doesnt really seem to do anything at all to the mites, but as i say luckly they have not effected the chicks we have bred.

We are now searching for other things to use to keep mites away,
So let this be a warning to anyone buying second hand wood cages or boxes you never know whats creeping about on them!!

I am quite surprised that no one has mentioned Pronafit pro smoke, are you frightened to use it? This smoke gets in to all cracks and crevices and kills all mite,also if you had sprayed the cages with poultry shield before putting them in to the aviary mites would not have been a problem............just a thought

[owain20]

I have heard of the smoke bomb kind of thing but it bothered me the fact of filling the shed with smoke and the birds still in there.

Poultry shield? never used that i though harkamitex would be best to buy and use.

[barrieshutt]

The smoke bombs are super Owain , 1/4 of a bomb will not harm the birds and it leaves a lovely clean smell.

I have never used poultry shield but it is well recommende

[owain20]

I have been looking into the poultry shield but cant find smoke bombs?

[brian r]

www.petron-lofts.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=284&osCsid=iqwplcrjazmlqt
heres a link hope it helps ;D