Topical or IN WATER treatment for all mite infestations
S76 can be used internally to kill Red Mites (Dermanyssus sp.), Depluming Mites (Epidermoptic mites), blood parasites (Microfilaria) and Air-sac Mites (Sternostoma tracheacolum). In other words, any mite that lives inside of a bird or will bite your birds and suck blood will be killed by S76. Your birds can also bathe in S76 to kill any external parasites crawling on them, but a pyrethrum based insecticide must also be used on the 2nd day of S76 treatment throughout their environment to eliminate these parasites from the aviary or a waiting army of mites will crawl back onto the birds from their hiding places.
S76 for Air-sac mites
Air-sac mites live in the respiratory tract (trachea, air-sacs, bronchi and lungs) of birds. The 2 species that are most susceptible to these mites are Lady Gouldian Finches and Canaries. Studies have found that the pregnant adult female mite produces eggs that hatch within the female and are then born alive as nymphs. Laboratory experiments with the air-sac mite indicate that the life cycle (from egg to adult) can take place in 6 days. However this nymph stage does not always mature immediately and can remain in dormancy within the respiratory tract for extended periods of time. Their maturity and activity is triggered by high temperatures and stressful periods for the birds. For more information on air sac mites
The products (S76 and Scatt) available to bird keepers to kill these mites cause no harm to the nymph stage, so it is important that a schedule of treatments be maintain on a regular basis to keep the adult population of air-sac mites in low numbers. When a large population of adult air-sac mites is killed at the same time, the dead bodies can block the respiratory tract causing suffocation to the bird.
Transmission of air-sac mites can be thru direct contact of adults feeding regurgitated food to their offspring or by courtship feeding between adults. Extensive laboratory studies by Bell (1996) suggest that transmission of this mite occurs by adult non-pregnant females that migrate out of the nares onto the head plumage, and eventually into a new host. Therefore a complete cleaning of the aviary must be done on the 2nd day of S76 treatment with a pyrethrum based insecticide.
The initial in-water treatment for air-sac mites with S76 is 2 consecutive days each week for 3 weeks in a row. Thereafter it is recommended that the flock be treated for 2 consecutive days each month when ambient temperatures are above 70 degrees F (approx. 22 degrees C). For flocks housed outdoors with lower temperatures in the Winter months, treatment can be done every 3 months. During the molting season treatment should be 2 consecutive days every 3 weeks.
Scaly Face and Leg mites
S76 can also be used to treat Scaly Face (Knemidokoptes ssp) mites. These mites burrow into the epithelium layer of your bird’s non-feathered skin and feed on keratin. As they burrow, their excretions pushed to the skin surface develop a honeycomb appearance when they burrow around the face (Budgerigars) and a tassel-like appearance when they burrow on the feet and legs (Canaries). If your birds have been diagnosed with Scaly mites, you will also need to assess your nutrition program, because these mites attack weak gene flocks as well as birds fed a nutritionally weak diet.
When treating scaly mites, you should apply the undiluted S76 with a Q-tip or cotton bud one day each week for 6-8 weeks directly to the affected skin, taking precautions to keep it out of the eyes and nostrils. The same day each week you should administer the S76 in the drinking water.
S76 to kill worms
S76 will also eliminate some worms in your birds if they are living outdoors and have contact with ground soils where worms live. Bird eating live food (insects) can also have worms, so it is important to have a regular treatment program in place for birds living outdoors under these conditions, or housed indoors but eating a diet containing live food. S76 will kill Hair and Round worms, and has been effective in treating Acuaria spp. Spiruroid worms in some species other than Gouldians and is recommended for the control of Gizzard worms in Gouldians. S76 will not kill tape worms so you should use another worming product in rotation with S76 if your bird has been diagnosed with tape worms.
Recommended treatment schedule for birds housed outdoors or eating a diet containing live food is “ in water” for one day each month.
S76 as a Health Stimulant
S76 contains Ivermectin to kill the mites and Slippery Elm to protect the digestive tract from the irritation that the Ivermectin could cause. Slippery Elm has a soothing effect on any part of the digestive tract that it comes in contact with. It possesses astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. It also offers an anti-bacterial property to the S76, especially in the back of the throat and it relieves sinus inflammation which is especially relevant for Gouldians and Canaries with air-sac mites. There will be a noticeable increase in both noise and activity level within your aviary the days after S76 is administered, even if no air-sac mites were present in all the birds.
Individual Treatment for air-sac mites
If just a single bird is showing severe signs of air-sac mite infestation, it should be removed to a hospital or warmed cage for treatment. I recommend administering Quik-Gel or NV Powder in the drinking water for 2 day before the undiluted S76 is applied directly to the skin on the bird’s neck for 5 consecutive days. The Quik-Gel or NV Powder should continue for the entire 5 days of treatment. Be sure to mix the Quik-Gel or NV Powder fresh each morning and change it frequently throughout the day because it is a sugar based electrolyte/glucose/vitamin/
Secondary Respiratory Infections
If an air-sac mite infestation is the only thing causing your birds respiratory symptoms, you should see the symptoms subside in 2 days with the in water S76 treatment and during the 5 day topical treatment. If the symptoms lessen, but do not completely go away, your bird also has a secondary respiratory infection that will need additional treatment. DO NOT JUST AUTOMATICALLY TREAT WITH AN ANTIBIOTIC AFTER THE FIRST 2 DAY TREATMENT OF S76 IF ALL SYMPTOMS HAVE DISAPPEARED. Additional medication treatments are not necessary if all respiratory symptoms subside after the first 2 day S76 treatment.
Bacterial, Fungal or Protozoa?
A respiratory infection, causing symptoms of loss of voice, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, raspy wet noises or clicking (the same symptoms that an air-sac mite infestation would produce) can be caused by bacteria, fungal toxins or a protozoa infection. There is not a “one drug cures all” medication, so steps should be taken to assess the cause. A visit to an avian vet would be my first recommendation. He/she can do lab tests that will determine the exact cause of the infection. If this is not a possibility then you can eliminate the possible causes thru an evaluation of environmental factors which might produce such infections. (CLICK HERE to learn how to do such an evaluation)
- REMOVE ALL OTHER WATER SOURCES INCLUDING FRESH GREENS, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES ON THE DAYS OF S76 TREATMENT
- MIX S76 FRESH EACH MORNING OF TREATMENT – DO NOT MIX A LARGE VOLUME AND HOLD IT FOR MULTIPLE DAY TREATMENTS. S76 is potent for only 8 hours once mixed into water
- MIX ONLY ENOUGH FOR EACH 24 HOUR PERIOD TO AVOID WASTE
- REMOVE ALL WATER VESSELS THE NIGHT BEFORE EACH S76 TREATMENT. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT ALL THE BIRDS ARE THIRSTY THE NEXT MORNING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER MIXING S76 EACH MORNING, REPLACE THE WATER VESSELS AND EACH BIRD WILL TAKE A BIG DRINK
S76 Mixing Rates: Mix Fresh Daily
For Finches, Canaries and Pigeons
2 level teaspoons = for one gallon of water
1 teaspoon = 5ml for 2 liters of water (approx. 2 quarts)
½ teaspoon = 2.5ml for 1 liter of water (approx. 1 quart)
¼ teaspoon = 1.25ml for 500ml of water (approx. 2 cups)
1/8 teaspoon = .63ml for 250ml of water (approx. 1 cup)
6 drops for 125ml of water (approx. 4 ounces)
3 drops for 63ml of water (approx. 2 ounces)
For Budgerigars and Parrots
4 level teaspoons = for one gallon of water
2 teaspoons = 10ml for 2 liters of water (approx. 2 quarts
1 teaspoon – 5ml for 1 liter of water (approx. 1 quart)
½ teaspoon = 2.5ml for 500ml of water (approx. 2 cups)
¼ teaspoon = 1.25ml for 250ml of water (approx. 1 cup)
1/8 teaspoon = .63ml for 125ml of water (approx. 4 ounces)
6 drops for 63ml of water (approx. 2 ounces)
S76 is Available in: 30ml, 100ml, 250ml
S76 is a concentrate and when mixed with water goes a long way!