The Glenwood post., 1915-05-22
POINTERS TO POULTRY RAIsERs

tlchs, iieh-, anu nee anu tHeoe A~'
their different varieties with their re-
speetive habits.
They range from l-l00O to 1-6 of an
inch in size. do not interbreed but pre-
serve their individuality and some may
be surprised to learn that but a few
varieties attack land fowl in general,
and different breeds of fowl have their
own particular bugs.
OF lice, five varieties attack chickens
only, one attacks chickens and guineas,
alone, and one chickens and turkeys,
alone, and another guineas and pea
cocks only. Turkeys have three varie-
ties all their own, peacoeks three and
guineas three.
OF mites, two kinds restrict them
selves to chickens; one to chickens and
pigeons only; one to chickens, pigeons
and guineas only; while peacocks have
one mite all their own; guineas, one,
and turkeys three.
Red mites attack birds and all land
fowl: the dovecote bug, pigeons and
chic kens; the pigeon tick restricts itself
to pigeons; while the bird flea preys on
birds, pigeons and sometimes chickens.
The idea that waterfowl have no
bugs, because they immerse in water
is wrong. OF lice, five kinds restrict
themselves to geese, two varieties of
lice and two kinds of mites prey only
on ducks. while one kind of lice 5
common to both.
Certain of these pests are very des-
tructive, some, little certain varieties
of microbes do little or no harm. 1t is
our purpose, here, to describe the most
harmful and common and prescribe
practical ulot-ods for their destruction.
The red mite i, the most vigorous,
vicious, crafty and destructive poultry
- Sest. 1t is gray in color, except when
gorged with blood. is emiparasitia,
not living on the body of the victim,
but hiding and breeding in ereviees,
dark corners, back of stationary roosts
ard nests in accumulated filth and
rubbish, from which retreat it swagms
..out on its helpless victims at night.
! When full of blood, mites return to
concealment and are seldom seen by
day unless 50 numerous that all can
not feed at night, their special da?-
light victims being layers, setting hens,
squads and brOods in bughOuse coops,
and brooiers. Their hide-and-seek tae
ties so deceive that the pests are often
undiscovered until these tremendous
breeders overflow their retreats. hang
ing in clusters, and appear thick rs
dust Such a horde drains a flock
veins. They become anaemic, unprofit-
able, ripe for tuberculosis. Many poul-
vent these hloodsuckers.
To Destroy Mites
Red mites have great powers of re-
sistance ard experiment shows them
alive after year without food. At
tempts To starve them out sometimes
result in their emigration to the stable
where they attack the cattle and some
.rrmes cause horses to run away.
Burning sulphur and most insect
powders have little effect as mites are
not real insects, but really spiders,
called the "spider iouse.'' They are
harder to kill than lice because their
manner of breathing is different and,
to reach them in their hidden retreats,
spraying is most effectual. Best killers
are Kerosene hot lime wash, to which
five ounces crude carbolic acid have
been added to the gallon. and kerosene
emulsion. These are also death to
pigeon ticks, dove-cote bugs, and the
fleas which have about the same habits
as red mites.
TO make the emulsion, shave a half
pound of soap into gallon of soft
water, heat to a boiling point. stir in
two gallons of kerosene and, for use,
dilute with ten times as much water.
Before spraying, the house should be
thoroughly cleaned, and should be
sprayed three times, twice the first day
and about the fifth day to catch strag-
yIers and the newly hatched. Ceiling,
walls, floor roosts. nests, all corners
and cracks should be carefully covered
and it is sometimes necessary to spray
the outside where the house is loosely
Joined and mites have outlets to escape.
Mites flourish in dark. damp, dirty
hen houses Where these conditions DO
not prevail and proper preventive
measures are used they are seldom see,
unless introduced by accident OF borne