[grinling]

have you tried insect repellent on yourself, doesn't smell nice and would need to be used twice daily. The bombs need to be repeated. Someone I know had a flea infestation and that took a few weeks and lots of spraying to get rid of.
Overalls left outside would stop movement between coop and house

[nerdle]

Really good thoughts thank you!
I was actually hoping my hairdresser would find some 'little visitors' in my hair because then I'd know what to do.

Today we rolled up the big rug and put it outside - more vacuuming including sofa and washing covers again.....

Can still feel the little darlings....


 

[grinling]

are you actually being bitten or have a rash or just the feel. Shampoo for human lice can work on the leg mites.

[nerdle]

Can feel them crawling.  There probably are tiny bites but not noticeable.
Too early to say but today was better but not 100% there yet....

[grinling]

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Flea-Trap

try this in several locations and then you can identify what is there

[nerdle]

That's so clever!!
My problem isn't fleas though.

Vacuuming the coop wasn't enough - will take up flooring tomorrow and wash it outside.

Will get there if it kills me!!!!!

[nerdle]

Nailed it!!!

I've got a slow brain - takes a while for the penny to drop.
A floor scrub and dry out in the sunshine and it already feels so different.

A lesson learned.

xxx

[New shoot]

Yay - result     Keep at it Nerdle.  You'll get them all in the end   

[grinling]

sticky traps will trap all insects.
I used hillfooters slurry for red mite some years back and had no probs since. Wild birds will bring the mites in, but no access anymore for them.

[nerdle]

Well I have brought all this on myself I know...  A certain wild pidgeon (Walter) did learn how to use their treadle feeder and nipped in every evening for a feed.  I didn't mind for ages but just lately I've adjusted the weight so it doesn't work for him any more.  He gets a few sunflower seeds instead.

...and Chocky was always allowed in here (except when I'm trying to eat) to perch on my top shelf....


SO glad its over.    so glad to have your support. xxxxx

[nerdle]

sticky traps will trap all insects.
I used hillfooters slurry for red mite some years back and had no probs since. Wild birds will bring the mites in, but no access anymore for them.

I think these were bird mites that breed in nests.  In my case on the dirty floor.  Not sure if they are different to red mite or not.

[nerdle]

Well - I want them to have gone so much I'm very hasty to celebrate their demise - but they are still with me.

Just had my second shower this evening and changed clothes again.

Tonight I've separated out any cool wash clothes and stuffed them into bin liners - I can only wear boil washed from now on.  The problem seems to be in this room and I can only take so many rugs out and vacuum so much..  no hens in house...

Just where are they coming from??

Thank goodness for heaters, and hot showers.  Got a cold coming on and having an op in 3 weeks...  arrggghhhh!!!

[grinling]

have you tried squeezing white paper into cracks in the chicken house or rubbing ends of the perches or scrapping the pop hole to test for red mite. Scrapping should make them bleed.
red mite can live without bird blood for a few weeks if there is another source.
Did you try the sticky traps to see what you could get? under furniture like the sofa might be good.

[nerdle]

Hello again
It's not redmite - I do check that regularly and they's got some nice new (bannister rail) perches although I think they'd rather have a nice stick from the woods!

Exterminater here on Monday so two sleeps to go!!

Wrist slapped for hen in house thing 



xxxxxx

[nerdle]

Months later......

Looong story short this may have been a hen thing but turns out I have 'formication' - sounds rude but it's nerve endings under the skin that feels like itching. 

Umpteen pest controllers and daily boilwashing of clothes later..... lived through the nightmare.  I do think I have demodex mites in my eyelashes though - but that's all medical.