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| Help!! Grain Mites!!! | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 1 2009, 03:17 AM (93 Views) | |
| kiddo76 | Sep 1 2009, 03:17 AM Post #1 |
Conure Crazed!!!!!!!!!
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just when you think it's only a layer of dust on the garbage can where spent treats are dumped...... I TOTALLY freaked when the small mound I brushed with the tip of my finger...... MOVED. We've had a lot of rain lately so my house feels damp, even the carpets feel damp. The flies seem to love it, but this is farm country, and others moved in as well. Grain mites, or flour mites as they are also known as.... have taken over my pet room. I panicked thinking I somehow brought in a bird infected with lice, but lice wouldn't look like moving specks of dust on every dark surface. in fact I don't even think lice would leave the birds right? so anyway, either these things came in thru the window because the neighbors had cows in the yard 20 feet from it this spring, or I got infected food. and I've noticed a few flies lately with these tiny brownish bugs attached to them... are these adult grain mites? did the flies bring em in? these things are almost totally resistant to bug spray!!!! I've been spraying the carpets with fly spray because for some odd reason they seem to love the dampness from it being so humid here. Then I grabbed ferret flea spray, (it smells much nicer than the bird spray) and misted everything, the floor, the cages, the birds themselves.... then grabbed a topical spot on flea treatment for kittens, sucked it up in a syringe, put the tiniest drop on the new hamster with the needle still attached, removed needle, put a larger drop on each of the rats, 3 drops on the guinea pig, and the rest went on the rabbit. Then I did some research and discovered these things are not blood suckers, but are mainly just a nuisance! The site recommended I throw away the infected food... here's the thing I don't think the food is infected.. it's all in big plastic cat litter bins with snap on lids. I can't even flea bomb the place because it's getting too cold to put the birds out on the porch. this sucks. I need to get one of those portable steamers for clothing and steam the walls, curtains and stands. and also steam clean the carpet. I really really hate bugs!!!!!! |
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| BUUZBEE | Sep 1 2009, 08:29 AM Post #2 |
Administrator
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Not fun! I'd be way too terrified to use any flea spray near my birds... i think i'd just have scrubbed everything with ACV or a mild bleach solution & chucked all the food in the trash. I've never had mites of any kind, but we do get those damn little moth things that live in the seeds, so for a few years now, i keep all seed in the freezer and pull out what i need, and that gets stored in the fridge. I hope you got rid of the little buggers 
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| Dusky Lover | Sep 1 2009, 01:49 PM Post #3 |
Moderator
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Sorry to hear about those peky mites !! That most be SOOOOO Frustrating for you . I would be VERY careful of any flea spray , or bug elimination spray period around your birds . Unless you know they are absolutely safe for your feathered friends . I would definitely move the birds to a different area . Dump all of your food , all of it because you dont know what is good , and what isnt . Then i would steam clean the heck out of your room ( Like 5 or 6 times ... lol ) . I wish you luck , ridding your house of those little nuisances ! Keep your birds safe too ! |
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| kiddo76 | Sep 2 2009, 07:37 PM Post #4 |
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Conure Crazed!!!!!!!!!
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Phil, I used to be a vet tech so I've done my homework on flea medications. since I have cats I have to watch what I use anyway because some over the counter products.. HARTZ especially, can and sometimes will, kill cats. I've seen too many cats in seizures due to the wrong type of flea meds used too. DO NOT use dog flea meds on cats. I sprayed the room down with Marshall farms ferret flea and tick spray. The food is fine. the mites are after my trash cans where I dump wasted food daily and food that falls into the trays under the cages. Sorry I am not a daily cage cleaner here at home. Usually once a week, on one of my days off. but I guess I better make it more frequent now. At the petshop I am cleaning cages and tanks every day. and at home I just want to relax. |
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| Dusky Lover | Sep 3 2009, 08:18 AM Post #5 |
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Moderator
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I am glad to hear you have experience with flea medications . I didnt know you were a Vet tech , so i am sure you know alot more than most people do about animals , and safety for them also . I agree with you also , on the cleaning of cages . I myself usually do my cage once a week ( Every Sunday ) , but i do clean the bottom of the cage on wednesday night , to help keep the bottom a little cleaner . I agree when you work all day , you just want to get home and relax .... Trust me , i like to do the same thing .Hope i didnt offend you ..... I know it is probably frustrating you , because i know i would be upset if i had those mites .
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| kiddo76 | Sep 3 2009, 11:34 AM Post #6 |
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Conure Crazed!!!!!!!!!
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It's all good. I'm just having a streak of bad luck lately. |
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| BUUZBEE | Sep 3 2009, 11:37 AM Post #7 |
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Administrator
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chemicals are chemicals and i personally wouldnt spay any around my birds... the respritory systems are too sensitive. but thats me. |
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