4 Circular 213, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 



SODIUM FLUORID PROBABLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST ALL KINDS 



OF PIGEON LICE. 



On the pigeons treated, the two most common species of pigeon 

 lice. Lipeurus bacillus X. and Goniocotes compar X.. were abundant. 



Judging from examination of a. number of flocks, the other six 

 species said to occur on the domestic pigeon are not common. Rec- 

 ords are at hand, however, of the occurrence on pigeons of Col- 

 .pocep/udum latum X., at Orlando, Fla., and Ancon, Canal Zone. 

 In addition to Dallas, Tex., Goniocotes compar has been taken at 

 Aberdeen, S. Dak., Orlando, Fla., and Lipeurus baculus at Aberdeen, 

 S. Dak., Orlando, Fla., Mound, La., and Uvalde Tex. Kellogg re- 

 ports Jfenopon longiceplicdum Kellogg taken on pigeons at Law- 

 rence, Kans. Herrick has taken G. compar and L. haculus at Ithaca, 

 X. Y., and has taken the latter at Agricultural College, Miss. Goni- 

 odes damicornis X. is reported by Kellogg in the United States. 

 The following species are also said to occur on pigeons but not re- 

 ported in the L x nited States: Menopon biseriatum Piaget, M. latum 

 Piaget, and Goniodes minor Piaget. 



Although the treatment was applied to but two of the eight species 

 occurring on pigeons, there seems to be no doubt that it would prove 

 as effective against any of the other species. The treatment of the 

 domestic hen with sodium fluorid was found effective on seven species 

 of lice occurring on that host. 



SPARROWS PROBABLY UNIMPORTANT AS SPREADERS OF 

 PIGEON LICE. 



Sparrows are often blamed for spreading lice and mites and so 

 are to be considered in the control of pigeon lice. We have no clear 

 evidence against them. The lice taken on pigeons have not been 

 taken on sparrows. Xeither is the mite commonly found on the 

 sparrow the same as the common chicken mite. Xevertheiess it 

 seems likely that they may occasionally act as mechanical carriers 

 of both lice and mites, especially in cases of heavy infestation. In 

 the same way pigeons may act as mechanical carriers of lice and 

 mites of poultry. To the writer, however, it would seem a very 

 rare thing for an infestation of lice to be started in this manner. 



CONCLUSION. 



Though all the different chemicals suggested for the control of 

 lice on pigeons were not tried, sodium fluorid can be used with great 

 success at moderate cost and without injury to the birds. To the 

 man with a commercial flock who desires to eliminate the louse prob- 

 lem it is suggested that he first try on a small number of birds the 

 dipping method herein described and after he has become familiar 

 with the procedure and convinced of its emeienc} T he can treat his 

 entire flock with confidence of success. 



o 



