red mite coop products - one-off or ongoing protection?

[kathyd]

Hi. I'm just experiencing my first ever red mite infestation. Am currently treating the coop with a product bought in the UK (don't know if I can mention its name, but it's something to do with Totally Killing them). Can anyone tell me whether this type of product is designed just to kill the existing mites please, or does it offer some ongoing protection? If so, any idea how long before I need to reapply?

Back to the bucket...

Thx.

[petal]

once there you never get rid of them 100% unless you burn the coop! creosote or similar on coop and treat birds with some sort of deterrant ( I use a peremythrin based product)

[kathyd]

OK thx Petal - I had a horrible feeling that was the case . I didn't use my creocote this time because I thought I'd read somewhere that it took ages to dry, and I didn't want to be coop-less for that long, but it looks like I'll have tobite the bullet and get on with it.

[petal]

well, you could create a temporary coop and run for them whilst it dries and airs. pick a nice hot day. If you were here, that would of course be impossible.........!!!!

[RichmondHens]

Creosote for me too. Kills all. I took on some second hand houses last year absolutely riddled with mite, creosoted the lot, no mite since. I also have a huge sack of Diatom and chuck liberal handfuls about everywhere - nestboxes, floors, corners, perch ends.

[kathyd]

I've been using diatomaceous earth RH, but it doesn't seem to have prevented the problem. However, I'll use the creocote and hopefully that will sort things out. I've been waiting until the weather settles down for a few days, but it just doesn't seem to be happening! If I creocote in the morning on a warm dry (but possibly not sunny) day, is it likely to be dry enough by the evening?

[RichmondHens]

It's not ideal but you can risk it. Make sure the perches at least are fully dry so they don't get creosote burn on their feet. If you can keep the pop hole open overnight (assuming the pen is secure) then do so to allow more ventilation. I don't know how many birds you have but a temporary solution for a few birds is to pop them in a large cardboard box or two inside a secure shed.

[kathyd]

OK thanks. I do have a second secure area at the other end of the outbuilding where they live, so that's not a problem if necessary. I already leave the pophole open at night because their area is secure, so they're used to that, and I also have the nest box lid propped open a bit while the weather's warm. 6 out of 8 birds sleep on the roof of the coop (inside the secure area) anyway, so they should be fine. But if it doesn't appear dry, or still smells nasty, I'll bung them in the other section overnight.

[kathyd]

Quick update - I can answer my own question now! The product I used lasted a bit less than a week... fat lot of use eh? Now duly creocoted.