Sevin?

[carcoozie]

Have any of you used Sevin dust with finches? The reason I ask is because my finches are still itching up a storm after 3 weeks of S76. One has pulled out almost all of his flight feathers ~ I read online that quill mites can cause this and that S76 won't kill quill mites. Said they were carried on pigeons mostly and we have them around here and I did use a branch from outside once.
I am just trying to figure it all out but obviously don't want to hurt the birdies inadvertenly.
Any thoughts?

[debbie276]

Sevin is an old time treatment which may not be all that safe.
I would go to any pet store and pick up some mite/lice spray. Look for Permethrin and Piperonyl Butoxide as ingredients or you can always order some avian insect liquidator from any online source near you.

[monotwine]

I'd go with Debbie's suggestion. Any form of dusting and you stand a chance of them inhaling it too. Usually those dusting pesticides are quite carcinogenic.
Here you can read up fairly quickly on the Material Safety Data Sheet
http://www.greenbook.net/docs/MSDS/M4772.PDF

[cindy]

They still practice that form of "dusting" Some old time breeders put the bird in a pillow case and shake the bag slightly to coat the bird. It is inhumane (the pillow case method) and like mentioned not really good for their respiratory system. There are so many other product options to use on the market today that are safer to use.

Also if you use sevin on the birds you run a risk of inhaling it also.