Hi,

 

Does anyone know of a budgie-safe way to treat red mites?

 

THanks,

 

Eliza

Treatment is with ivermectin.

There are a few ways - I use a treatment called coopex . I make up the solution, and treat the whole area I toss out all Perches and branches and replace with new ones. I paint the solution on any nest boxes especially in the gaps and joins. I spray all nesting materials with it too, when the birds go in - they get it all over them, treating them too ... You can also you a lice and mite spray ...Red mites mainly occur if you have an open roof ( mesh roofing) on your aviary, unwashed branches and stumps As wild birds carry itYou can use the ivermec stuff to treat birds too But make sure you treat the area

Parasitic Diseases

Red mites can occur in budgies and cockatiels. These mites are very contagious between birds of different species, and they suck blood. They are visible to the naked eye as tiny specks of red pepper. Red mites (Dermanyssus species) remain off the bird and climb on the host to take a blood meal. They can make the infested birds very nervous and irritated. They sometimes bite people when birds are absent. In addition to treating the birds with red mites, the entire cage and bird area must be thoroughly disinfected to prevent reinfestation. Treatment with oral ivermectin and topical 5% carbaryl, repeated weekly, is usually effective. I saw one case involving a military macaw that had a severe infestation with red mites, and the poor baby bird had multiple feather cysts caused by the damage from the mites.

Feather mites can occur on budgies, and two species have been described to infest budgies. These mites, however, are not commonly encountered. Feather and quill mites can be found (rarely) on cockatiel feathers (usually primary and secondary remiges). Many budgie and 'tiel owners believe that they must use some sort of protection against mites, which can be hung on the outside of the cage, but these are ineffective and potentially dangerous, as the fumes can cause liver damage and perhaps cancer if inhaled for a long period of time. Mite protectors usually have mothballs (paradichlorobenzene) as the active ingredient. If a budgie does not have mites, a mite protector is not necessary to prevent infestation. If a budgie does have an external parasite, it is best to seek the expert advice of an avian veterinarian who can diagnose the exact problem and prescribe the correct medication to treat it at the proper intervals.

Edited August 22, 200816 yr by **Liv**
fixed quote

Ivermectin as Liv says, on the birds, I agree with Neat, treat the aviary as well.