Another question
I was thinking about putting some sevin dust in my nest when I done a nest check tomorrow, 14 days. I ran across a small bag of " Amorphous Diatomaceous Earth ". This is what Purple Martin Landlords used in the mid 90's for crawling insects. I don't here anything about this product on this forum. Has this been adviced not to use, since I hadn't used this forum for a few years, except for this spring. Thanks
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Hello
I'll handle an easy question and leave the tough ones to Texans.
The PMCA at one time recommended DE because it's just an abrasive and may have some killing effect on mites, but a few years ago decided the effect is very minimal and the particles might be breathed by babies and cause lung damage, and so no longer recommends it.
John Miller
St. Louis -- a Missourian
I'll handle an easy question and leave the tough ones to Texans.
The PMCA at one time recommended DE because it's just an abrasive and may have some killing effect on mites, but a few years ago decided the effect is very minimal and the particles might be breathed by babies and cause lung damage, and so no longer recommends it.
John Miller
St. Louis -- a Missourian
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Guest
Ohio gets in on the easy one, too! 
DE is not recommended any more, for the reasons John stated above. In my bluebird boxes, I will use DE after clutching or at the end of the season, but not while there are babies in the nest.
Sevin is a personal choice - you will find an equal number of people for it as against it. I haven't used Sevin yet, but haven't completely ruled it out. As long as I can control mites with nest changes, I will probably avoid it on the general principal "First, do no harm." However, if (when?) I get a large enough colony that nest changes become impractical, I might consider it.
DE is not recommended any more, for the reasons John stated above. In my bluebird boxes, I will use DE after clutching or at the end of the season, but not while there are babies in the nest.
Sevin is a personal choice - you will find an equal number of people for it as against it. I haven't used Sevin yet, but haven't completely ruled it out. As long as I can control mites with nest changes, I will probably avoid it on the general principal "First, do no harm." However, if (when?) I get a large enough colony that nest changes become impractical, I might consider it.
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Dale Davis
Hi,
Have to agree about not using DE.
I ran a survey on 5% seven on another site. Out of 63 votes, 83% use seven including myself. Are we doing the right thing or the wrong thing, I don't know but, thought I would pass this information on to you. You will have to make that decision for yourself.
I only use it under my sub-floors and only about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. Have had very positive results and will continue to use in the future.
Dale
Have to agree about not using DE.
I ran a survey on 5% seven on another site. Out of 63 votes, 83% use seven including myself. Are we doing the right thing or the wrong thing, I don't know but, thought I would pass this information on to you. You will have to make that decision for yourself.
I only use it under my sub-floors and only about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. Have had very positive results and will continue to use in the future.
Dale
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
I don't remember where I saw that video - but when the PMCA did their nestcam research, they discovered that the nestling Purple Martins exercise their little wings a "lot" and every time they did it would stir up a big cloud of DM. So, they quit using or recommending it.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne