Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1903-11-07
Insect Pests
on Canaries

One of the greatest obstacles to
the successful rearing of young cana
ries is the small insect which is
known by the name OF the Red Mite
or Canary Bug, writes a contributor
to Animal World. The attentions of
this blood-thirsty little parasite are
responsible for the deaths of many
hundreds of nesting canarfes annual
ly- Want of cleanliness is one of the
chief reasons for the appearance OF
this pest. The presence OF red mites
Is frequently unsupported until the
discovery of one or two minute in
sects on the hand after the cage has
been touched, provokes q close in
spection, when they will probably be
seen to swarm in the nest in all the
corners This is particularly the case
when the weather is warm.
How to get rid OF this parasite
VIXEN it has once made its appearance
is problem that has puzzled most
canary breeders. Experiments innu-
merable have been made. Turpen-
tine. parafin, carbolic, tobacco, Quas-
STA, soda, and various other things
have been tried with very varying re-
suits. Not only will the red mite
make its home in and around the nest
box, and in the joints and crevices of
the cages, but it will also be found
behind the wall paper and in other
parts of the room some way from the
birds The insecr seems able to exist
fer a lengthy period without having
access to the canaries. Cages that
have been known to have contained
the red mite have been put away in
cellar for upwards of two years. Yet
xxyh 1T f<v- =, a
vermin have been found alive in the
crevices.
Firtree oil will undoubtedly kill
these insects. and when applied to
the joints of the cages will prevent
others coming for some time.
At the commencement of the
canary breeding season it is advisable
to paint all the crevices of the cages,
also the ends of the perches and the
bottom of the trays, with carbolic
acid. A small paint brush should be
used and the solution well worked in.
After this is done the cage must be
put out in the air for three or four
days, after which 1T will be ready for
use. Should the cages have been
limewashed, it must be cleaned off
before the carbolic is applied, or it
will be Injurious to the canaries. Just
before the hen begins to sit some
strong insect powder should be
sprinkled over the nest. 1t will not
hurt the eggs.
If only an ordinary singing canary
is kept, and insects are found in the
cage, the bird should be caught at
roosting time and well busted over
the back and under the wings with
insect powder. After the bird is put
back a white buster or handkerchief
should be placed over the cage. In
a couple of hours, if this is carefully
removed, it will probably be found to
contain a number of insects. The
buster should be thrown into boiling
water A repetition of this perform
ance for a few nights will generally
do away with the vermin. Some of the
old canary breeders had a theory that
the young canaries were never so
strong or healthy as when they were
infested with red mites. This, how
ever, is an opinion that would not be
adopted in these days. Cleanliness
must be constantly practiced and as
much air and ventilation as possible
allowed in the bird room. Red mites
should then prove but little trouble.