Hi all, have read about using lime under concaves etc for bugs. Does anyone know if you could whitewash insides of cages and or breeding boxes, using agricultural lime like a paint, let dry etc. before use, to prevent mites lices ect in the wood?Don't know if this would be harmful to birds. The recipe for wash was ag. lime salt and water.

I wouldn't. I use pestene under my concaves

Mites like red mites, if you havent had them before are INTRODUCED into your aviary or birdroom. Either on new birds or possibly from wood from tree branches brought in. If you employ certain practices in your quarantine program to detect these then you dont have to deal with them.

Feather mites on birds are easily detected and spraying the birds with AVIAN INSECTICIDAL LIQUIDATOR will deal with them.

As you should not breed birds who arent in optimum condition and health ( i.e. no mite infestations ) then by rights you shouldnt have to put any pesticides or acidic coatings in your breeding cages or nestboxes at all.

Edited July 29, 200915 yr by KAZ

I wouldn't. I use pestene under my concaves

Thank's splat. Don't have problem, just wanted advice for future reference.

Mites like red mites, if you havent had them before are INTRODUCED into your aviary or birdroom. Either on new birds or possibly from wood from tree branches brought in. If you employ certain practices in your quarantine program to detect these then you dont have to deal with them.Feather mites on birds are easily detected and spraying the birds with AVIAN INSECTICIDAL LIQUIDATOR will deal with them.As you should not breed birds who arent in optimum condition and health ( i.e. no mite infestations ) then by rights you shouldnt have to put any pesticides or acidic coatings in your breeding cages or nestboxes at all.

Thank's Kaz, We don't have any problem but thought prevention would be better than cure. We are using a plastic insert in most boxes and birds seem quite happy, kicked out most of wood shavings and saw dust but have laid in them okay. Thanks again for advice.