Poultry
Solution to red mite menace? - R S Pyne advocates the use of deadly diatoms which lead to death by dessication
A KNOCK at the door heralds Ceredigion's answer to Del Boy. Huw advertises his services as a handyman on the village notice board with printed business cards that say "So Call." Still at school but already a master of the hard-sell technique.
Did we want any diatoms? Good for red mite in chickens, fleas and ticks in dogs, a supplement for sheep and an anti-slug barrier in the garden. Super-silicaceous, he said, almost going into Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang mode. Five minutes later, we were the proud owners of a 100g bottle of CelTixTM DE Diatomaceous Earth, produced by Natural Feeds and Fertilisers Ltd www.naturalfeeds-fertilisers.co.uk. Based in West Wales, this company is widely promoting "natural insect and pest control" and Huw is their youngest agent. As a Micropalaeontologist, I once studied diatoms as part of my own research but never expected a door-to-door salesman to call!
Diatoms are single celled algae, common in both salt and freshwater at the present day but the earliest examples date from the Jurassic (213 to 144 million years ago). The cell wall (frustule) of these tiny organisms is impregnated with silica, often beautifully patterned. When they die, the silica skeleton accumulates in the deep sea as ooze. At present, these are more common around the coast of Antarctica and in the North Pacific. In the North Atlantic, sediments washed off the land dilute the percentage made up by diatoms. Fossil deposits are known as Diatomaceous Earth with open cast mining in Northern Europe, Iceland and North America. Industrial uses include as a mild abrasive in metal polish, a paint additive and a filter for breweries and sugar refineries.
Following trials with sheep on an organic hill farm, the food-grade product is now ADAS approved as a supplement for all livestock and domestic pets. For poultry, the recommended daily feed rate is 5%.
The Poultry Red Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) needs no introduction. This parasite is more common in free ranging flocks that interact with wild bird populations. In cases of high infestation, egg production may be reduced (by up to 5% according to the BFREPA - British Free Range Egg Producers Association website). The mites spread the chicken pox virus, fowl cholera and salmonella and cause numerous other health problems. Anaemia, reduced immunity and therefore less resistance to infection will lead to increased mortality rates and lower productivity.
Chemicals including Cypermethrin, Pyrethroid, Permethrin and others are potentially harmful to the environment and may accumulate in meat or eggs.
Their use could also lead to acquired resistance. Since the life cycle is seven days in ideal conditions, immunity to chemical treatments quickly passes to a new generation of "super-mites." "Poultry Shield" is a chemical free alternative mail order Poultry Shield Ultimate: 500 ml - £5.99 & £2.50 postage and packing; 1 litre - £9.99 & 4.50; 5 litre - £19.99 & £8.50 postage.
Diatomaceous Earth can be applied after Poultry Shield to kill any survivors and prevent re-infestation. It is very effective on its own when applied to dry surfaces according to instructions: 200g per 3 cu. Metres for large houses, adapting the volume to suit the space. DE is also effective when used at full strength in a dusting box for poultry or added to areas where wild birds dust bathe, further reducing re-infestation. There is a very simple answer to why diatoms are deadly. When a mite crosses a DE coated surface, the silica will damage its protective shell, causing death by desiccation.
Many agricultural suppliers across the country stock it but milled Diatomaceous Earth is also available by mail order and eBay in 2, 5, 10 and 15kg tubs.
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