[upthetump]

Hi all. Has anyone had experience with this condition? One of my birds is ill and her condittion looks like a photo in my book depicting this condition. Anyone know of a cure? Grateful for any help.

[Aunt Sally]

Treat all your birds with an insecticide as the Northern Mite lives on the bird for their entire life cycle and multiplies rapidly.  Frontline would be a good quick choice if there is an infestation rather than a milder treatment as a preventative.

Look here for how to do it:

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=5250

[Bodger]

The Northern mites appear as myriads of black moving specks on the skin and in the feathers usually around the vent. They are vicious little things and if left untreated will virtually eat the bird alive.
Scabs will form on the skin and if you've think you've successfully treated them and you lift the dry scabs up you will quite often find thousands more of the little * hiding under them. Thank goodness, I've only had them on my birds once and those came from some that I'd bought in. They were quite tricky to get rid of and in the end, I was forced to remove the feathers from around the vent area with scissors and treat with several brands of topical dressing until I hit on the right one to do the job.

[upthetump]

The Northern mites appear as myriads of black moving specks on the skin and in the feathers usually around the vent. They are vicious little things and if left untreated will virtually eat the bird alive.
Scabs will form on the skin and if you've think you've successfully treated them and you lift the dry scabs up you will quite often find thousands more of the little * hiding under them. Thank goodness, I've only had them on my birds once and those came from some that I'd bought in. They were quite tricky to get rid of and in the end, I was forced to remove the feathers from around the vent area with scissors and treat with several brands of topical dressing until I hit on the right one to do the job.

wow sounds severe. I have the same problem with an outsider coming in, what did you finally use to cure it?

[Bodger]

I swear by some stuff in a red and white aerosol called mite-kill.

[upthetump]

TA! for that, will get onto it ASAP. Cheers