Efficacy of diatomaceous earth at reducing populations of nest-dwelling ectoparasites in tree swallows
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Published source details
Dawson R.D. (2004) Efficacy of diatomaceous earth at reducing populations of nest-dwelling ectoparasites in tree swallows. Journal of Field Ornithology, 75, 232-238.
Published source details Dawson R.D. (2004) Efficacy of diatomaceous earth at reducing populations of nest-dwelling ectoparasites in tree swallows. Journal of Field Ornithology, 75, 232-238.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Remove ectoparasites from nests to increase survival or reproductive success Action Link |
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Remove ectoparasites from nests to increase survival or reproductive success
A randomised, replicated and controlled trial over two breeding seasons in 2001-2 in British Columbia, Canada (Dawson 2004) found that tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor nests treated with insecticide (in 2001: 38.1% diatomaceous earth, 0.2% pyrethrins and 1.0% piperonyl butoxide; 2002: 80% silicon dioxide) contained significantly fewer bird fleas Ceratophyllus idius and blow flies Protocalliphora spp. than untreated nests (approximately 25 fleas and 28 blowflies in 23 treated nests vs. 350 fleas and 50 blowflies in 32 control nests).
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