Hi Everyone,
I used pine needles this year for the first time. I picked them up under the trees next to my house earlier this year. They were dry. I noticed today, when I added some sevin (for the first time, too) and additional pine needles, that the needles I picked contained some small bugs. Are these harmful to the birds? I added about 1/8 teaspoon of sevin around the parameter under the pre-nest pine needles. I was so reluctant to add sevin but last year the nests were infested with mites. I suppose the sevin will kill these small bugs, too. Right? Any one else had this experience?
Jerry
Small bugs in pine needles
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Mudflap
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:07 am
- Location: SE Ohio
- Martin Colony History: 2011: Set up 16 room S&K house.
2012: nothing.
2013: lookers but no takers.
2014: lookers but no takers.
2015: 3 pair nested, 7 fledged.
2016: second year: S&K house is now an 8 room house and added a separate pole with eight Troyer Vertical Gourds. 13 pair nested, 50 fledged.
2017: third year: S&K house is now a 6 room house (blocked attic access). Same Troyer gourds.
I have no idea but that's a good question and I'm watching for someone to answer.
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cary-nw-fla
- Posts: 141
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 12:27 pm
- Location: Holt, Florida
Not sure what kind of bugs you have, but believe the sevin should take care of it as it kills a large variety of insects. Good luck.
2010/2011: 0 / 2012: 8 Pair / 2013: 22 Pair / 2014: 35 Pair / 2015: 39 Pair / 2016: 73 Pair / 2017: 94 Pair
Cary
Cary
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
cary has good advice. The bugs could be bird mites, or fleas. I suggest doing a google image search for both and see if they match what you saw. Sevin should take care of the bugs.