mite control

[DerrickK]

Was picking the brains of a 90 year old who has had an active colony for over 60yrs and his answer to mites and other parasites is to crumple tobacco leaves into the compartment before adding nesting material. Claims to have been mite free since he started and it's a natural control.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Very interesting, and hope that he is right. If I had some tobacco leaves, I would try it next year

[wyatt]

I've tried it before and it seemed to work early in the season, however if I am remembering right it seems like I had mite problems late in the season after a very wet year. The martins did not like it and would throw it out unless I hid it under a nest tray. I still have it in a bag. I might try it again.

[diane vB]

Have u guys thought of marigold petals. They r a natural pyrethrin. An insecticide that ppl put around their vegetable garden to ward off the vegetable eating bugs? What do the experts think?

[DerrickK]

wyatt, the trick is to put the tobacco in first and the pine needles etc. over it --that way the martins can't get at it to throw it out.

[Matt F.]

Have u guys thought of marigold petals. They r a natural pyrethrin. An insecticide that ppl put around their vegetable garden to ward off the vegetable eating bugs? What do the experts think?

That would something easy to try (definitely easier getting Marigolds around here than tobacco leaves).
I noticed there are a few different variants of Marigolds.
Are they all natural pyrethrins?

[John & Linda - KY]

Why experiment when it's been proven that Seven dust works. I know some folks don't like to use chemicals, but we've been using Seven for almost 20 years with no mites and no effect on the martins. Put 1/2 teaspoon or so in the bottom of the compartments when you open them. As the martins explore the cavities they'll pick up the dust on their feet. You'll notice that when they first return they sit around scratching, but after a few days exposure to the dust the scratching is reduced or eliminated. -- John

[Matt F.]

No doubt Sevin works, and has saved many nests from becoming overcome with mites, and leading to babies jumping too early.
One thing that has not been scientifically proven though - is if Sevin, or any other Carbaryl containing insecticide, has any negative, long term effects on Purple Martins.
There may be none, and it may be 100% safe.
However, there may be some negative effects, that we as the Martin community simply haven't noticed yet, due to it not being tested and observed in a controlled, scientific testing environment (which we'll never see, due to it being illegal to use Sevin in Martin nests).
Again, Sevin works great for many, and I do not look down on anyone that uses it.
My personal preference though at this time, is to only use natural countermeasures in the Martin nests I manage.
That may change one day though.

[CHenry]

permethrin on the outside of the gourds. The martins never come into contact with it and the mites all eventually wonder outside and get into it. Works fine.

[diane vB]

You know guys, you should read the book, Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. She turned the tables on DDT and birds eggs not holding the baby etc. it's because of her that it was banned. Sevin is severely toxic to bees. Who knows what it does to PM's? It affects the neurological systems of insects, want to put it in your babies bed?! To make sure you dont get any bed bugs? Come on ppl, you are dealing with babies here. Try marigolds first. Not as easy but safer, I'm sure!

[diane vB]

Actually chrysanthemums are a natural pyrethrum not marigolds! Marigolds are known for a different insecticide, correction!

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

The use of tobacco leaves for controlling mites came up many years ago. As I recall it was a particular type of tobacco leaf to control mites, cured or uncured, I don't remember. I did obtain some of the recommended leaves to use and placed them in my gourds under the pine needles. They did not work for me in controlling mites. Here is pic of the tobacco leaves.