**Liv** 0 Posted October 2, 2008 Member ID: 3,771 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 147 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 6,621 Content Per Day: 0.33 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 39,450 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 23/10/07 Status: Offline Last Seen: August 8, 2014 Birthday: 09/04/1911 Share Posted October 2, 2008 (edited) About 2 weeks ago during random checks of my birds, I discovered tiny feather mites on the flight feathers of most of my aviary birds They look like tiny bits of dirt in the feather ( a flight feather tip from one of my birds) Zoomed they look like this (not my photo) It is unknown when the mites got introduced to my flock, but it was sometime during autumn as my inside birds (who came inside in autumn) are clean from the mites. A little bit about the feather mite Feather Mites: These tiny arachnids are so extremely small that to the naked eye they appear to be tiny dirt particles on the bird's body, wing, and tail feathers. On the Purple Martin, "colonies" of them can be seen on the long wing and tail feathers between the feather barbs, but you'll have to have the bird in your hand to see them. These tiny (0.5 mm long) feather mites get their nourishment by chewing on the feathers. Although these parasites are typically harmless, they can severely damage an individual's plumage during heavy infestations. Other species of feather mites, known as quill mites, pass their entire life cycle within the hollow confines of the wing feather quills. These types feed on host tissue fluids by piercing the quill wall with their sharp mouth parts. Treatment AVIAN INSECT LIQUIDATOR A.I.L. is an effective water based insecticide and insect growth regulator that gives three way protection for all avian species. 3 Way Protection. When used directly on the bird, A.I.L. penetrates deep into feathers to kill lice and mites. When sprayed around the environment A.I.L. kills insects on contact and the residual action guards against re-infestation for up to six weeks. Also, the growth regulation effect of A.I.L. prevents insect eggs from hatching and newly hatched insects from reaching maturity. Directions Use a 5% solution (1 part concentrate: 19 parts water – 20 parts total) NOT FOR USE WITH REPTILES OR FISH. Hold trigger pack 30-40 cm from bird/s and spray directly on to birds/s. use 4-5 pumps per bird. Cages, aviaries, perches and nest boxes should also be sprayed thoroughly with the diluted product. Repeat in 6 weeks or as necessary. Guaranteed Analysis Permethrin 25g/L Piperonyl Butoxide 125g/L Methoprene 0.4g/L I found AIL too hard to get here in SA so i used Coopex to treat my birds which contains the same amount of Permethrin as AIL when a 25g sachet is made into a 10L solution. I treated all my aviary birds, cleaned out the entire aviary and treated all the perches and surfaces - it was very comforting to see happy birds and dead bugs everywhere Next time you are looking at your birds, check for little speaks of "dirt" in the flight feathers - you may need to treat for feather mites too. Edited October 2, 2008 by KAZ Link to comment
**KAZ** 0 Posted October 2, 2008 Member ID: 1,976 Group: Site Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 521 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 25,294 Content Per Day: 1.28 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 152,977 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 24/01/06 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2015 Birthday: 07/01/1956 Share Posted October 2, 2008 for such an informative article Liv. Topic Pinned Link to comment
Neat 0 Posted October 2, 2008 Member ID: 3,275 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 321 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 5,171 Content Per Day: 0.26 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 31,845 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 27/03/07 Status: Offline Last Seen: June 25, 2010 Birthday: 22/05/1980 Share Posted October 2, 2008 (edited) Good to hear it is or sorted Liv ... I am going to add to the use of AIL, make sure that you dab some under their wings and pit area along with under their throat .... Edited October 2, 2008 by Neat typo Link to comment
renee 0 Posted October 2, 2008 Member ID: 4,388 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 75 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,462 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 13,420 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 28/05/08 Status: Offline Last Seen: February 28, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Good to hear it is or sorted Liv ... I am going to add to the use of AIL, make sure that you dab some under their wings and pit area along with under their throat .... This is a really good post. I recently had some budgie friends over and after hearing about all the bad luck they had had I offered them some budgies out of my retirement village. They were happy, I felt good about being generous and that was the end of that - NOT! A few days later a little present arrived in the mail and when I rang to say thank you I was huffily told that 'the budgies' were covered in mites, did I know? .... NO! Of course not and I apologised profusely and promptly treated. Goes to show, No good deed goes unpunished! Link to comment
Elly 0 Posted October 2, 2008 Member ID: 1,641 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 414 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 15,350 Content Per Day: 2.23 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 99,335 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 05/10/05 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 1, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Excellent, I will add to the FAQ, can I upload your pics to the BBC photobucket? Link to comment
**Liv** 0 Posted October 2, 2008 Member ID: 3,771 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 147 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 6,621 Content Per Day: 0.33 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 39,450 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 23/10/07 Status: Offline Last Seen: August 8, 2014 Birthday: 09/04/1911 Author Share Posted October 2, 2008 Excellent, I will add to the FAQ, can I upload your pics to the BBC photobucket? Of course, you dont need to ask Elly Link to comment
Sailorwolf 0 Posted October 3, 2008 Member ID: 1,536 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 84 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 2,753 Content Per Day: 0.39 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 16,870 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/09/05 Status: Offline Last Seen: October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Hmm. I have some dirty looking monsters with tatty plumage in my aviary, I better have a look at them this weekend. Link to comment
Elly 0 Posted October 3, 2008 Member ID: 1,641 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 414 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 15,350 Content Per Day: 2.23 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 99,335 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 05/10/05 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 1, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Excellent, I will add to the FAQ, can I upload your pics to the BBC photobucket? Of course, you dont need to ask Elly It has been added. Link to comment
Matt Welchman 0 Posted January 12, 2010 Member ID: 5,835 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 24 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 361 Content Per Day: 0.07 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 2,075 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/01/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 21, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Some pics of the damage feather mite can cause Link to comment
**KAZ** 0 Posted January 12, 2010 Member ID: 1,976 Group: Site Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 521 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 25,294 Content Per Day: 1.28 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 152,977 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 24/01/06 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2015 Birthday: 07/01/1956 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Some pics of the damage feather mite can cause They are quill mites arent they Matt ? Not the average feather mite ? Link to comment
**Liv** 0 Posted January 12, 2010 Member ID: 3,771 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 147 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 6,621 Content Per Day: 0.33 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 39,450 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 23/10/07 Status: Offline Last Seen: August 8, 2014 Birthday: 09/04/1911 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 WOW great photos! feather mites live on the feather, but quill mites live in the feather shaft right?? How do we get rid of quill mites??? Link to comment
Matt Welchman 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 5,835 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 24 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 361 Content Per Day: 0.07 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 2,075 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/01/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 21, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Yes they are Quill mite , You will find them on the primary flights and the tail feathers. A healthy bird will naturally preen the mite off the feather , But regular spraying with a mite spray will keep them at bay. Link to comment
**KAZ** 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 1,976 Group: Site Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 521 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 25,294 Content Per Day: 1.28 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 152,977 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 24/01/06 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2015 Birthday: 07/01/1956 Share Posted January 13, 2010 (edited) Yes they are Quill mite , You will find them on the primary flights and the tail feathers. A healthy bird will naturally preen the mite off the feather , But regular spraying with a mite spray will keep them at bay. I have a bird in quarantine which arrived with quill mite from QLD and so far has defied any and all treatment including that advised by our avian vet. I am told they can enter the bloodstream ? Edited January 13, 2010 by KAZ Link to comment
renee 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 4,388 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 75 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,462 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 13,420 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 28/05/08 Status: Offline Last Seen: February 28, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Yes they are Quill mite , You will find them on the primary flights and the tail feathers. A healthy bird will naturally preen the mite off the feather , But regular spraying with a mite spray will keep them at bay. I have a bird in quarantine which arrived with quill mite from QLD and so far has defied any and all treatment including that advised by our avian vet. I am told they can enter the bloodstream ? Would you like to pick up some S76 for it? Remember this is a Rob Marshall product that is ingested orally and enters the bloodstream. Also you could try contacting Hamish, he explained a very effective 'dunking' method for eradicating the most stubborn of mites. Link to comment
**KAZ** 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 1,976 Group: Site Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 521 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 25,294 Content Per Day: 1.28 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 152,977 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 24/01/06 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2015 Birthday: 07/01/1956 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Would you like to pick up some S76 for it? Remember this is a Rob Marshall product that is ingested orally and enters the bloodstream. Also you could try contacting Hamish, he explained a very effective 'dunking' method for eradicating the most stubborn of mites. I have S76 Renee....have had it for a long time. despite vet assurance...it defies all such treatments including dunking. I may offer this $400 budgie up to my avian vet for "research" and testing Link to comment
renee 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 4,388 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 75 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 2,462 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 13,420 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 28/05/08 Status: Offline Last Seen: February 28, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Would you like to pick up some S76 for it? Remember this is a Rob Marshall product that is ingested orally and enters the bloodstream. Also you could try contacting Hamish, he explained a very effective 'dunking' method for eradicating the most stubborn of mites. I have S76 Renee....have had it for a long time. despite vet assurance...it defies all such treatments including dunking. I may offer this $400 budgie up to my avian vet for "research" and testing Oh No, not one of the 'special ones' .... why is it so often so?! Link to comment
**KAZ** 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 1,976 Group: Site Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 521 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 25,294 Content Per Day: 1.28 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 152,977 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 24/01/06 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2015 Birthday: 07/01/1956 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Would you like to pick up some S76 for it? Remember this is a Rob Marshall product that is ingested orally and enters the bloodstream. Also you could try contacting Hamish, he explained a very effective 'dunking' method for eradicating the most stubborn of mites. I have S76 Renee....have had it for a long time. despite vet assurance...it defies all such treatments including dunking. I may offer this $400 budgie up to my avian vet for "research" and testing Oh No, not one of the 'special ones' .... why is it so often so?! Yes, Renee.................seems like the $400 budgies get things the $15 budgies dont Link to comment
Matt Welchman 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 5,835 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 24 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 361 Content Per Day: 0.07 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 2,075 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/01/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 21, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I was thinking about this Kaz , when we spoke before , What if you tried fly spray . Obviously in a controlled way. Hold the bird for a while then wash it in Coopex . I am going to try this with one that im having the same issues with . Link to comment
nubbly5 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 5,023 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 39 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,608 Content Per Day: 0.08 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 8,635 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 28/01/09 Status: Offline Last Seen: December 21, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Have you had a positive diagnosis of quill mite? Or are you just going on the feather damage as seen in the picture? Link to comment
clearwing 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 5,830 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 14 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 290 Content Per Day: 0.06 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 1,590 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/01/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 7, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I have had great success in the past placing the bird in a show cage and spraying with Pea Beau{not sure of spelling] I also place one drop of Ivermec on the back of every bird in the flight twice yearly. Best of luck Clearwing Link to comment
Matt Welchman 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 5,835 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 24 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 361 Content Per Day: 0.07 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 2,075 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/01/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 21, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I have had great success in the past placing the bird in a show cage and spraying with Pea Beau{not sure of spelling] I also place one drop of Ivermec on the back of every bird in the flight twice yearly. Best of luck Clearwing I was told about the Pea Beau by an older club member years ago , also for air sac mites , I wont say how to do it as I might be frowned upon by some people from another forum. Link to comment
clearwing 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 5,830 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 14 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 290 Content Per Day: 0.06 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 1,590 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/01/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 7, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2010 if you don't fancy using the Pea Beau you can place a good sized leaf of AloVera plant into a lT of water place in the fridge overnight, it will thicken as the AloVera gell blends with the water, next day dilute with water about 50/50 and spray directly onto the bird, also spray out cages perches etc. Clearwing Link to comment
**KAZ** 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 1,976 Group: Site Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 521 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 25,294 Content Per Day: 1.28 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 152,977 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 24/01/06 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2015 Birthday: 07/01/1956 Share Posted January 13, 2010 if you don't fancy using the Pea Beau you can place a good sized leaf of AloVera plant into a lT of water place in the fridge overnight, it will thicken as the AloVera gell blends with the water, next day dilute with water about 50/50 and spray directly onto the bird, also spray out cages perches etc. Clearwing I'll give that a go....at this stage I will give anything a go. BUT the flyspray worries me :raincloud: Link to comment
clearwing 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 5,830 Group: Site Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 14 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 290 Content Per Day: 0.06 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 1,590 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 07/01/10 Status: Offline Last Seen: April 7, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Kaz, have you used Ivomec? It is the best Budgie drench I've ever found, one drop on the back of the head and no more internal or external parasites. Clearwing Link to comment
**KAZ** 0 Posted January 13, 2010 Member ID: 1,976 Group: Site Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 521 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 25,294 Content Per Day: 1.28 Reputation: 0 Achievement Points: 152,977 Solved Content: 0 Days Won: 0 Joined: 24/01/06 Status: Offline Last Seen: January 6, 2015 Birthday: 07/01/1956 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Kaz, have you used Ivomec? It is the best Budgie drench I've ever found, one drop on the back of the head and no more internal or external parasites. Clearwing Yeah. I used the spot on the first time, then also ran some along the affected feathers. Gave it a few days, then pulled the affected flights out and burnt them. More time in the quarantine cage. New feathers grew in and have quill mites still. Drenched in A.I.L. as per vets advice, also gave S76 in water as per vets advice. I now wait to see if we have won the battle. Link to comment
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