[Hensington]

Creosoting your coop bi-annually will erdicate and prevent any red mite infestation 100%.

Creosote subsitute DOES NOT work, it has to be the real thing. Creosoting is what most breeders do. See link http://www.bluelaced.co.uk/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1118

[Foxy]

Creosoting your coop bi-annually will erdicate and prevent any red mite infestation 100%.

Creosote subsitute DOES NOT work, it has to be the real thing. Creosoting is what most breeders do. See link http://www.bluelaced.co.uk/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1118

Sorry I dont use it...and wouldn't. There is a very good reason why creosote has been banned, therefore the forum cannot advocate its use here irrespective of who uses it.

[janeheritage]

Please, Foxy, why has creosote been banned? Those of us who are new to this might not know.

All I know about creosote is that when I was 6 I ruined my favourite dress running along the path by the garden fence my dad had just creosoted.

It was turquoise blue with a big sash. *sigh* 

[Yorkie]

Creosote is based on coal tar; research showed that it was a probable carcinogen based on human and animal studies.  Hence its restriction to professional, licensed users and withdrawal from the amateur market.

[Foxy]

Very briefly, banned in the EU due to the identification of the fact that coal tar creosote is carcinogenic. Creosote has been associated with respiratory problems  in humans for a while, and although in animal studies most certainly carcinogenic, this hasnt been proved conclusively in humans. The evidence collated was strong enough to warrant a ban however. So this is why I will never, ever, use creosote! Hope this helps!

[janeheritage]

Gordon Bennett!  Thank you for telling me!

Should I stop using Coal Tar Soap, do you think>  :blink:

[mumsy]

Unfortunately, the product licence for Duramitex was revoked so its storage or use beyond 6 Dec 2008 is not legal and we can't be seen to endorse its use - see here for details.

Back to the other remedies mentioned.

Harkers have now developed a product called "duramitex plus" which works not only on the waxy coating of the mite but also kills the eggs, it does not contain pesticides and is the eggs will be safe for human consumption. I am hoping to test this product so will let you know!

I have ordered it from petmeds???
Its description was ' a non pesticide, safe for birds & humans!!!
Surely I wouldn't have been able to buy it if it wasn't legal.
I am only wanting to use it on the coop, I am using Red Mite powder on the girls, I have used all the diatom.  Need to spray the patio, as where I jet washed the coop, they are everywhere, we keep finding them on us & the dogs

[Foxy]

what i think you have probably bought is Duramitex  plus, which is perfectly safe mumsy, easy to get confused, maybe help if they called it something else!

[mumsy]

Phew, just checked, yes it is duramitex plus!!!!!!!
Should arrive tomorrow, with any luck.   Guess I'll be testing too then !!!

AND TMG   

[Hensington]

It's been banned for amateur use, not professional. Ask a professional to creosote your coop, job done. You will never see a red mite in a creosoted coop.

If you are worried about creosote then you should look at the nice chemicals used in tanalised wood......I know which one I would rather use.

[janeheritage]

I am puzzled about the creosote thing. If it's not safe for amateur use, why would it be allowed for trade?  Sometimes regulations are utterly impenetrable...  :blink:

[joyfull]

Please read this link before considering using creosote

http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/CR/creosote.html

This extract is taken from the Toxicology section.
Harmful if swallowed. Creosote is a mixture of chemicals prepared by the distillation of coal tar and contains chemicals which are probable carcinogens. Skin and respiratory irritant; severe eye irritant. May stain the skin. Typical PEL 0.2 mg/m3.

Telegraph poles etc are still creosoted but they are for outside and not in close permanent contact with people or livestock.

Personally I would not use it any where near my animals even though I adore the smell (am I wierd in that?).

Hope this helps, Joy xx

[desandchez]

dose spot on work against red mite?

[Foxy]

No not really, as the mite lives off the bird in crevasses and only feeds at night, which also makes them difficult to spot!

[Hensington]

Foxy is right, they really are difficult to spot, I once found a small colony living in the head of a phillips screw!

Creosote contains chemicals that are PROBABLE carcinogens, so it must be used in a safe manner hence why amateurs are no longer supposed to use it.

So it's safe as long as you know what you are doing. It's just the government looking after you again