Sealing chicken coop

Hi everyone.  I already have a thread running asking for advice about hen keeping - we get our hens on Sunday.

But I thought I'd post a new thread about something I've read about.

I am concerned, obviously, about red mite and want to do all I can to deter them, and then make getting rid of them easier if (or should I say when!) we do get them.

I have just read on a red mite article that you should seal all the joins and cracks in your chicken house with 'decorators mate.'

Presumeably this is decorators caulk or that kind of stuff.  Given that the mites live in the cracks of the house, would it be a good idea to seal the inside with some kind of sealant?  The house comes on Sat am and chooks on sunday eve, so I would have a good chance to do it.

Any ideas?

Agree with frickinradical about using diatomatious earth, but not really all the ways suggested. Have a look at some posts of a week or so ago on RM - particularly the explanations by Hillfooter as to using slurry. It does work well. The wood in the coop moves with temperature and moisture and trying to seal fully would drive you mad.
Putting grease/vaseline on the ends/joints helps in places such as the end of perches where slurry isn't the answer. Do check and dust your birds before putting them in, however good the supplier is.