Help! Possible Red Mites in Cage

[txstitcher]

This morning while changing out the birds' water bowls I noticed teeny tiny bugs under the bowl. They quickly tried to scatter when I picked up the bowls. They look like mites and I'm guessing (after reading here on the forum and Google) they are red mites.

I have Avian Insect Liquidator and plan to spray the birds today, but how do I care for the cage? Of course, I'm going to remove everything and scrub, scrub, scrub. I'll get new nests, swings and perches. However, should I wait a few days and let the birds sleep on the perches at night before placing new nest baskets in the cage?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice! I've never dealt with this before!

Michelle

[Martie]

Michelle, the AIL will work - but I prefer to use Scatt on the birds and AIL on the environment. After a good cage cleaning, you can spray it all with AIL. Just to be safe, I would also spray the area around the cage as well. Watch for places they might hide - the slots at the ends of dowel perches are a favorite.

Good luck - with a little diligence and armed with AIL, you should be able to eradicate them in no time at all.

[debbie276]

Method of Application
Apply as a fine spray to the bird until feathers are dampened. Birds may be dipped in an A.I.L. solution (e.g. Pigeons and Poultry), if more convenient.
Liberally spray the cage and surrounds. Bird rooms, aviaries and feed storage areas should be sprayed or fogged (using an electronic fogger) with A.I.L. to reduce population of lice, mites, flies, mosquitoes, fodder mite and mealy moth.
A.I.L. is an extremely safe and effective water based insecticide and insect growth regulator for birds, mammals. The three way action of A.I.L. provides an instant kill of insects and a six week residual action against reinfection. The insect growth regulator (IGR) prevents the development of immature insects thus providing prolonged protection.
A.I.L. should be used as a routine part of aviary management to prevent insect borne disease, reduce tapeworm intermediate hosts and prevent feed spoilage. A.I.L. is safe if ingested, so feed and water do not need to be removed during treatment. There are no known side effects of A.I.L. in avian species. It has been widely used on avians at all stages of growth and development.

So I would spray the cage and area also, not just the bird.

[txstitcher]

Thanks for the advice! Going to scrub the place down this afternoon. I have the heebie-jeebies now! LOL