Do air sac mites and mite/lice threaten gs and waxbills?

[metinemre]

I remember that the breeder we purchased our green singers and orange breasted waxbills told us that these birds don`t get effected by air sac mites is it true that these species are immune to air sac mites?

If not what do you guys do to prevent air sac mites.

I purchased scalex just in case for other body mites/lices. But it says don`t spray to birds eyes. It`s impossible to catch them and spray to their bodies. Can i just spray it to the cage like spraying them with water? Or spray it from the top like rain?

How do you prevent these mites and how do you use the products to prevent these?

Do you use s76?
http://www.finchniche.com/product_s76.php

I`d like to know if you use any meds / sprays etc to prevent any sickness or trouble before it happens.

[poohbear]

Use a product that you disperse in the drinking water for mites if it's not feasible to catch them all for a spot on treatment,these vary from country to country but are usually based on Ivermectin.The same for worms.
I can't see any waxbill or finch being immune to them.

[debbie276]

I don't think any bird is "immune" to air sac mites, it all depends on if they are exposed to a bird with them, whether they might get them or not.

I don't do any treatments routinely, I only treat if there is a problem except for during quarantine I treat all incoming birds with a drop of scatt for mites.

For feather mites and lice you can use something like AIL (Avian Insect Liquidator) sold online. You just spray that around the cage being sure to cover all nooks and crannies and also spray the birds while they are on the perch. Though again I wouldn't spray just to spray, I'd wait till I was sure they had mites.

[zebra zombie]

canary's and gouldians are the most affected by air sac mites but all birds get mites and feather lice..the best method is to treat with sheep and goat ivermectin directly on to the skin and down the beak amounts differ on bird size will treat all kinds of mites and worms...no messing about with water mixes that half the birds wont drink and when its done its done it might take a few hours catching birds one by one but its worth the peace of mind knowing all are treated and reinfestation wont happen..birds are not stupid even if the water is a different colour they wont drink it..and tastes a bit weird you watch them shake there heads after they drink spitting it out...Ive used ivermectin only for all my birds for over 20years without a problem and at times ive had over 200 birds treated once or twice a year..

[cindy]

I have seen people use the sheep and cattle ivermectin on canaries with severe tassel foot. You need to be careful with the amount, some birds if to weak may not do well with the strength of the medication designed for cattle/livestock. He lost a few canaries (given to him).

In those cases I would opt for something designed specifically for domestic avian birds or seek help from a vet if possible.

Article on scaly leg mites... http://www.avianweb.com/scalylegs.html

[metinemre]

If bird doesn`t have any problems in legs or beak but picking and itching itself a lot does that still mean mite/lice problem? I don`t know how to see what is a lot anyway lol. How often do they pick themselves or play with feathers like itching themselves? I see my birds pick or look like cleaning their feathers while they are on the perch.
So i was thinking if they have body mites.

[debbie276]

Birds will naturally preen themselves when perching and preen more if they are molting or have taken a bath.
The easiest way to find out if your bird has mites is to cover the cage with a white sheet at night and put one under the cage, and white paper towels on the floor of the cage, check first thing in the morning. Mites that have fed appear as reddish-brown dots. Some have compared this as looking as ground pepper dust.

[metinemre]

So there is no need to spray them and the cage with scalex as a precaution. Where we purchased our birds was like a zoo. thousands of different species in a super large outdoor aviary set up. So i`m kinda scared that they came with some mites/ Because it is impossible for those guys to spot them there.

[debbie276]

You could check for yourself for mites or spray them during quarantine or after just to be sure if you'd like.

[metinemre]

Ok i will after eggs hatch and hopefully babies fledge.