The Poultry Keeper

pjred · Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 241

Well happy (So far) now I want/need to use a wood sealer. Apparently this is required to assist in keeping the bugs at bay. Any suggestions as to which product I should buy?

nigel · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:25 am Post subject:

In my opinion the very best thing, if you can get it is good old fashioned creosote, not the modern safe substitute. The phenols and tar oils in the original stuff kill the red spider mite and coat the wood and help prevent them coming back.

If you can't get the old fashioned creosote then any animal/child safe wood preservative is OK

Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 323 Location: Norfolk

The sale of Creosote is restricted and I would strongly advise people do not use it. It is highly toxic, especially to cats, fish and much wildlife. It should never be used in an area where people will have regular contact, even more so if you have children Shocked

Sorry Nigel Sad

But there are a great deal of other teatments that can be used, along with good husbandary, without resoting to something so toxic.
(Regular washes with dettol for the coop, plus regular use of a natural mite powder in coop, bedding and on birds)
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/LubricantsampFinishes/Finishes/d150/sd2975
The above is a link to the stuff on our coop/run (which was professionaly made).

Keep smilin
Elly

chicken_house_man · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 121 Location: Brynmawr

Hi.
A wood sealer won't have much effect on bugs unless it's creosote which isn't the best sealer. If you want to keep the weather out of the wood then any of the garden paints/ treatments from the DIY store will do. If you're using a colured paint on the house it's best to wait for it to dry out fully before painting else when th ewood shrinks you'll have unpainted bits showing. If you just want to increase the water proofing on a wooden roof then waterproof PVA mixed with equal amount of water works and is cheap.

Woodburner · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject:

By far the most toxic thing in creosote appears to be naphthalene, yet naphthalene, as far as I can tell, is not restricted. Confused

It's probably the naphthalene that has most effect as regards red mite though, as that is what's in moth balls. So I don't think it's good to use creosote as it's insect repelling property (the naphthalene) is what makes it nasty, even though that's not actually why it's sale is restricted!