FINCHforum

I have not yet had a problem with any sort of parasite infestation, but I'm a little paranoid about the possibility that I will one day. I have seen products at places like Petco and Petsmart (sorry, I don't remember brands, but I can look the next time I am there) that can be hung or somehow mounted in the cage to prevent lice, mites etc. Three questions: is this stuff safe? Effective? Worth buying? My finches live inside the house, so in that respect I suppose they are not as prone to parasites as they would be in an outdoor aviary. Just curious--thanks!

I've never used those hang-on things, but I've heard bad things about them. At a minimum, I think they are pretty worthless. I don't know that there is anything safe out there that would prevent mites, but Avian Insect Liquidator is an excellent aviary/cage spray that will take care of many insects that may be present. It is safe enough to be sprayed directly on the birds.

Sally thanks! I suspected as much, but thought I would check.

I am here to tell everyone that the spray doesn't always work. I had a 72" long x 28"deep x 52"tall aviary I bought used and a month after putting my 14 Gouldian finches inside I was SEVERLY infested with mites. So much so that's sadly lost 2 almost fledged babies. I removed the birds spend over $40 in the spray from Petsmart and then I proceeded to bomb the whole thing with special bomb for mites. And we'll let's just say today's am building a new one and the old one is burnt. This Lil red mites hide in the cracks in the day and come out in the night. I tried it all but the infestation was overwhelming. The amazing thing is that I don't have them indoors where the aviary was, so I got REALLY lucky. I was told by "Lady Gouldian" online that treating them with scatt will repel them and it is working I am also going to use Diatomaceous earth (food grade) that I am also told will kill an deep mites out. I guess everything halls for a reason but I would have much rather learned it and not lost my babies.

Sorry you lost your babies. That has happened to me when I used wicker nests, but now I use metal nests or plastic, to prevent mites being attracted. I also treat all finches with Iverlux (for fledges and new birds) and SCATT or S76 once a year before summer. The preventative is way better than losing finches. I also treat new finches and fledges with Worm Away and Ronex 12% because they are in the dirty nest and I don't clean the cage until they're weaned, when I move them to their own cage. I try not to disturb the parents while they're feeding to avoid abandonment of babies etc.

Thanks for the advice and it was in the only wooden box. I will be sure to get some of the Ronex for sure now whats the difference between Scatt and S76?

Scatt has a main ingredient of Moxydectin and stays in the birds system for 21 days, the life of the ASM. One drop on the skin of the bird.
S76 has a main ingredient of ivermectin and remains active for 7 to 8 hours so needs to be repeated. Diluted in the drinking water.