37 



compounds, such as parathion, diazinon, and fenthion (Baytex) , have 

 extremely high avian toxicities and are also excluded from use on or 

 around poultry (Loomis, 1978). 



Little or no research has been done on field application of miti- 

 cides on poultry. Poultrymen report widespread mite resistance to 

 labeled miticides, but many of the resistance problems are due to poor 

 application methods (Eleazer, 1978). 



Application methods have changed drastically with the advent of 

 caged birds and increased flock size. Before 19^0, treatment of each 

 bird in a poultry flock with a dust, ointment, or dip was quite common. 

 By 1950, the average size of a caged flock was 1500 to 2000 birds 

 (Hartman, 1953), and the use of treatments that involved the handling 

 of individual birds rapidly ceased. 



A laboratory method was devised for in vitro evaluation of miticides 

 (Foulk and Matthyssee, 1964). Disposable pipettes are dipped into 

 miticides and northern fowl mites then drawn inside by use of a vacuum. 

 The large end of the pipette is covered with fine mesh cloth and after 

 mites are inside, the small end is plugged with clay. Next, the pipettes 

 are placed in chambers with controlled temperature and humidity, and 

 mortality is recorded in 2k hours. This method was also used by Hall 

 et al. (1978) after slight modification. 

 Sulfur and nicotine sulfate 



These two compounds have been recommended for treatment of northern 

 fowl mites perhaps longer than others and were initially used because 

 they had been used successfully for poultry louse control. 



