Steam cleaning redmite

[tim_n]

I have a shed I'm repurposing into a chicken coop - there's various sources talking about redmite and how you need to dust and it can (the mites) get into crannies in the woodwork.

If I do get an infestation, can I use a steamer to kill them? (the mites, not the birds)

[Thomzo]

Hi
I've tried that but it wasn't very effective. They get into the little cracks in the wood, well away from the steam. I had better results with diatomaceous earth. Friends of mine get a treatment from the vet which you drop onto the necks of the chickens and they say it's effective. But my local vet isn't up on chickens which is why I use the earth.

Zoe

[hedgewizard]

Diatomaceous earth is too messy imho, and the stuff for the chickens neck's is expensive and fairly nasty stuff with a 7 day period where you can't eat the eggs. Much simpler to get hold of a detergent called Poultry Shield and clean the house out with it when you see the little buggers. incidentally, learn how to spot them as they're commonly missed and can make your birds really unhappy.