[pink-chicken]

I have queried Milbenex with its suppliers and have been told that ideally it's used as a last resort and to start of with ficam W... Any ideas please?

Jan.x

[viettaclark]

I got the same when I tried to get Milbenex but they explained that the mites develop immunity to pesticides so you want to try the weakest first or we'll have a race of unkillable mites! (bit like head lice where combing is the best cure ) Ficam W is still really strong and used by owners of large flocks rather than the backyard keeper. Although the very very nice man split a box of sachets and sent me 2 (£10!!) I never got round to using them. I did the Poultry Shield/Diatom clean out regularly when they were in the wooden coop and still do it, but less often, now I've got the cube. Have you tried doing that yet?

[Roughlee Handled]

I got the same when I tried to get Milbenex but they explained that the mites develop immunity to pesticides so you want to try the weakest first or we'll have a race of unkillable mites! (bit like head lice where combing is the best cure ) Ficam W is still really strong and used by owners of large flocks rather than the backyard keeper. Although the very very nice man split a box of sachets and sent me 2 (£10!!) I never got round to using them. I did the Poultry Shield/Diatom clean out regularly when they were in the wooden coop and still do it, but less often, now I've got the cube. Have you tried doing that yet?

viettaclark just because you have a plastic "CUBE" does not mean you will not get mites.  Mites will and do live between the sheets of plastic that make up the cube. So beware and take it apart at least once ever three months and wash.  Red Mite like cracks to live in not just wood.  Wood is better because at least the wood can absorb the liquids and chemicals i.e. Milbenex

I have used Milbenex once this year and not had them back.  I would also suggest you try painting the cracks of you wooden coop with paraffin as a measure against red mite. 

Remove and check under your perches. I do every day.

[pink-chicken]

Thank you both for your advice 

viettaclark, I've been using the 'Barrier' red mite powder. I also washed the perches down with diluted Jeyes as the mites had found their way into the joints  I made sure that every one had gone before replacing and pasted vaseline at the perch edges nearest the coop sides. All preventative stuff at the mo but I wanted a good eradicator hence contacting the Milbanex suppliers. We only have a small coop and four girlies so I'm still unsure whether to push for Milbanex or go with his advice

Stuart, I think I will try again for the Milbanex as I'd read that Ficam leaves a lot of residue? Milbanex might be strong but that can't be a bad thing against these persistant little blighters.

Jan.x

[viettaclark]

Hi Roughlee Stuart!
I give the whole cube a "strip wash" every month or so with Poultry Shield and puff Diatom everywhere. So far no sign of mites but I ain't complacent. They can't get IN the plastic, can they??? I check all the possible places inside and outside but can't get between the moulded sheets that make up the insulated walls. I HATE the blighters! They caused so much paranoia back in the summer. Do mites tend to die off a bit in the winter or do they tuck up in nice warm cracks and carry on their vampire habits? Going by the forum it seemed there was a surge when spring came?

[Foxy]

Thank you both for your advice 

viettaclark, I've been using the 'Barrier' red mite powder. I also washed the perches down with diluted Jeyes as the mites had found their way into the joints  I made sure that every one had gone before replacing and pasted vaseline at the perch edges nearest the coop sides. All preventative stuff at the mo but I wanted a good eradicator hence contacting the Milbanex suppliers. We only have a small coop and four girlies so I'm still unsure whether to push for Milbanex or go with his advice

Stuart, I think I will try again for the Milbanex as I'd read that Ficam leaves a lot of residue? Milbanex might be strong but that can't be a bad thing against these persistant little blighters.

Jan.x

pink chicken, with only 4 chooks there is no need for an insecticide as strong as Milbenex. Good husbandry and formulations such as poultry shield and diatom powder(you could use a "slurry" with the DE) should suffice. They are other products, such as FICAM W, duramitex plus which are also effective.