Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 291, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1916 — TO RID BIRDS OF PARASITES [ARTICLE]

TO RID BIRDS OF PARASITES

No Single Pest or Condition Cau.-'S Cr' 'er Loss Than Lice and Mites. No external pilrasite on fowls CrtLses such heavy losses to lh£ pomuyinan as the common rod chicken u ite. While frequently classed together, at d the same treatment recommended for both, there is a great difference between lice and mites. Mites are o'cod sucking insects, while lice feed on skin, feather ; etc. The term “red. u.te” original <1 in the fact that the blood drawn from fowls gives them a ioddish appearance. Mites will attack birds ordinarily only at night or while on the roosts. The lice live on the birds’ bodies continuously. But while the mites work on the birds only a part of the time, they still are a fai nipre dangerous pest than the lice, viiich never leave the fowls of their A own accord. A dumpish appearance of the hens is.ithe first sign that mites are present in considerable numbers. Pale head and comb, listless action, and a general sickly appearance are further symptons. Laying stops, of course, when the pests become numerous. The sitting hen is the most dangerously exposed to the attacks of mites. Here ci ese parasites not only have an ex cellent harbor in the nest fcox, but tneir host is present almost continu< usly. Hens will sometimes desert their nests to get away from the torture of the bloodthirsty pests. Cases have been reported where hens were kjjled by them rignt on their nests. Tne worst danger of all, in the nest that is not kept free from them, lies in the fact that the chicks are attacked as soon as they come from the shell. The most common hiding place of notes is in the cracks and crevices of nt st boxes, roosts and Other fixtures and iequipment inside the poultry house. Filth and manure also furnish, a good harbor for them, and for that* reason the house should be kept clean through the summer, at least. Sometimes, in looking for the pests, they will escape notice unless, ope is careful. When they have no blood in them tney have a greyish appearance and it is difficult to distinguish them on a gray or white surface. It present in large numbers they will appear -as gray patches.

a thorough cleaning, followed by spraying every -nook arid cranny in which a mite can hide, is the only es feCtive way to get rid of these pests. This work should be done at intervals, so that the survivors, of which there always seem to be anabundance, will not have a chance to multiply and repopulate the quarters, which they will do in an incredibly short time. Kerosene alone, or in combination with other materials, probably makes tbe most effective spray. Kerosene emulsion, made by ihixing kerosene with shaved soap dissolved in boiling water, is a very commonly used spray. A mixture of kerosene and crude carbolic acid also is very effective. It should be mixed in the proportion of me part carbolic acid to three parts kerosene. This is not diluted, but should be kept well stirred while ap;, plying it. A force spray pump is the best means of applying thrise sprays, as it not only covers the surface well, but forces the sprays into every nook auc’ cranny that can be reached. Next best is a brush, but In applying the mixture in this way the work must be very carefully done, so as to get it into all cracks and crevices.