[Mrs Tweedy]

I am new to looking after chickens, I have read that you can creosote the inside of your coop to help prevent red mites. Is it the traditional or the substitute one that you can use? and how long should it be left before chooks are allowed back in? 

[grumpydad]

creosote is good, but there are better alternatives for chickens that are not as harmfull. creosote fumes are not good for chucks.
poultry shield, or stanoslan f will do the job, and diatom on a regular basis will work.
if you use diatom to start with and on a regular basis it should stop a build up of mites and you should not have a problem. if you do, use the others to zap them.
search red mite on the site and you will have lots of options and opinions as to how to deal with them.
good luck

martyn

[chuckie.egg]

I clean my hen shed out with diluted Jeyes fluid once a week, and have never come across any red mite in 18 months.
Personally I wouldn't use creosote on the inside, as it's too strong.

[poultrygeist]

You're only allowed to use (old) creosote to recoat an existing structure. And then I think you have to be licensed.

Grumpydad's advice is sound.

We do minimal cleaning and have never seen a red mite, so it's not inevitable. Mind you, I think our hens would eat them faster than they can breed anyway  One stare would send them running back to the wild.  :blink:

Rob

[AmandaH]

Is creosote suggested because there is something in it that mites don't like, or is it simply something to fill in the cracks that they hide in?

If it's just something to fill in the cracks, can't you use yacht varnish or something?

Personally I love love love the smell of creosote but perhaps I'm just a bit odd.

[Foxy]

The cresote normally used is the traditional kind,and is very effective for redmite however, we dont advocate its use on this forum as it has been banned for public use and only available for professional users. This is based on evidence which suggests that one of the ingredients of traditional creosote may have carcinogenic properties.
Other good  specialist products are:

Diatom
Poultry shield
Duramitex Plus
Mitekill
Milbenex (commercial use)

Others have had some success with strong dettol, jeyes and steam cleaning or blasting (carefully!) with a blowtorch

[poultrygeist]

Creosote will kill almost anything that's immersed in it I should think. The fumes are wonderful though 

We have a telegraph pole depot nearby and if the wind blows right, the smell fills the garden. Mmmmmm 

Rob

[woodside farm]

Hi,
I have just bought some creosote from 'Scats', you don't need a licence to use this one it is called creosote but is not as thick as the old stuff (but smells the same).
I only know off two people who have not had mites this year and both of them have used this. (25lt's for £33).

Michelle xx

[Mrs Tweedy]

Cheers for advice. I love the smell of creosote to, but I'll give jeyes fluid ago. 

[Foxy]

one of the local old timers came round today and dropped of a henhouse, bless him he has creosoted it inside in and out for me, he said it has been the worst year for red mite in his memory, he has been keeping chooks for at least 50 years!!

[Aunt Sally]

I only know off two people who have not had mites this year and both of them have used this. (25lt's for £33).

Michelle xx

Don't you know me ?

My chooks have never had mites and all I use is fresh water and a sprinkle of diatom.  No expensive chemical needed here 

[chickenlady]

Creosote will kill almost anything that's immersed in it I should think. The fumes are wonderful though 

We have a telegraph pole depot nearby and if the wind blows right, the smell fills the garden. Mmmmmm 

Rob

Oooo Rob yes i know the depot we pass it on our way to boston, i love that smell! grew up with coal tar soap too which i also love the smell of!
as for red mite! i have no dealings with them so far   (touches hubbys head quickly  )
All i use in the houses is a sweep and some bi-oo-cyst and when dry and the shavings are added i sprinkle some battles red mite powder all around! and thats it!

Debbie