The Poultry Keeper

JaxMax · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 73 Location: Dublin

I'm trying to figure out a way of reducing any red mite I may get in the future (not got my hens yet) and was wondering if it is ok to gloss (exterior gloss) the inside of my hen house? It will have over 3 weeks to 'air' before I get any hens, possibly longer if I don't find anything suitable at the chicken sale I'm going to in May. I think I read somewhere that gloss shouldn't be used inside because some kind of gasses are given off long after the smell of the new paint has gone, but not sure if this is factual or not. Anyone know please?

If it turns out that gloss is a definate 'no no', can anyone suggest anything harmless I can paint inside the hen house to kind of seal up those little nooks and crannies that the red mite will love?

Thanks
Jackie

Welsh Duck · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

Never tried gloss paint, but I have read in a book that painting it inside helps deter red mite. Very Happy

Petite Holder · Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 88

After a maximum of 7 days all gloss paints that I have heard of have fully cured (all chemical reactions have finished) and have a closed film. Its what they are designed to do (seal a surface). I think most will be safe to use.

In just the corners and joints I put....I can't remember what it's called but it's meant for rotten or rotting wood, it is a liquid that you brush on, soaks into the wood, as it dries it binds loose particles together. It dries very quickly and after 24 hours nothing leeches.
Bought it from B&Q but i'm sure other places sell it too.
Other than that a good water borne wood preserver will do. (Cuprinol etc)

Hope this helps

mojo · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:27 pm Post subject:

best use a gloss paint safe for kids stuff like cots etc if you want gloss.....otherwise creaosot( 2 coats sprayed or slapped all over) or a crupinol wood preserver(sprayed0

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 2703 Location: Monmouthshire

Or of course, a proper lime wash.

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1316 Location: Leicestershire

The thing is really it doesn't matter what you use you will get red mite eventually and they hide in the tiniest of cracks - cracks so small you can hardly see them, so the harder you try to prevent the mite the harder you make it for yourself to treat when you have them, plus gloss paint will crack anyway, so in my opinion (for what it's worth) I wouldn't bother glossing.

Itsybitsy

JaxMax · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 73 Location: Dublin

Thanks everyone. I think I'll just stick to what I'm putting on the outside, which is Cuprinol Garden Shades, and I'll just have to face the dreaded Red Mite if and when they appear. I'm armed with plenty of RM Powder and Diatom so hopefully will have a fighting chance against them!

Jackie

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 2703 Location: Monmouthshire

Cuprinol is so 'animal friendly' now that I find it hard to believe it has any effect even on woodworm! I still swear by creosote.