Nice neighbor came by earlier this week and gave us a nice black hen. Now we have a real infestation of mites. Haven't had any for 30 yrs. Used to use Blackleaf 40 to rid them out fast. But I understand that's off market now. So what's the best thing you can get today that will work? Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), April 13, 2001

Answers

There are many types of mite treatments out there and others will have their favorites but we use Sevin 5% dust. One treatment all over and then one treatment in 7-10 days under the wings and in the vent area. This has worked for us.

-- Trisha-MN (tank@linkup.net), April 13, 2001.

I have heard that you can use Diatomacious Earth (DE) on the floor of the coop, etc. I used it last year to cut down on bugs in the coop. Will not hurt the chickens. ~Brenda~

-- Brenda (brenclark@alltel.net), April 13, 2001.

An old farmer told me to use tobacco as bedding. Could only get some pipe tobacco, smelled really nice in the coop for a while. I also used DE and wood ash so I'm not sure what really worked.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), April 13, 2001.

Mine like to dust themselves in the ashes, which is supposed to take care of mites.

-- mary, texas (marylgarcia@aol.com), April 13, 2001.

I also use the wood ashes.

-- Lynn(MO) (mscratch1@semo.net), April 13, 2001.

turpintine in pine straw helps in chicken & pigeon nest boxes to deter mites. have never used it to get rid of bad infestion. larry

-- Larry in OK (Nuts4bees@aol.com), April 14, 2001.

Thanks for all the remedys. Will have problem under control soon I'm sure. Thanks again, Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), April 14, 2001.

I use those blue strips that McMurray's has, Die-No-Mite strips I think they're called. You just hang them in the coop where they'll brush the chickens. Works very well. The strips last a long time and are not messy.

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), April 14, 2001.

For the feet and legs, mix half and half a mixture of old motor oil and kerosene. Dip each foot and leg into a quart jar of the mixture. Put chicken back on the ground. I do this about twice a year to keep mites down. Also 'paint' the stuff ont he roosts in the morning.

-- Eve in FL (owenall@lwol.com), April 16, 2001.