Comparison of four fumigants for removing avian lice

Published source details Visnak R.M. & Dumbacher J.P. (1999) Comparison of four fumigants for removing avian lice. Journal of Field Ornithology, 70, 42-48.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Remove ectoparasites from feathers to increase survival or reproductive success Action Link

Remove ectoparasites from feathers to increase survival or reproductive success

A replicated ex situ study in Hawaii (Visnak & Dumbacher 1999) tested four different fumigants (chloroform, di-ethyl ether, ethyl acetate and carbon dioxide, CO₂) to assess the efficiency and speed with which they immobilised and detached slender pigeon lice Columbicola columbae from the feathers of feral pigeons Columba livia. CO₂ was fastest in immobilising lice (average of 61 s for three trials of ten lice), followed by chloroform (122 s), ethyl acetate (198 s) and ether (201 s). CO₂ was also fastest at detaching lice from feathers (average of 181 s for 30 lice) followed by chloroform (192 s), ethyl acetate (293 s) and ether (307 s). However, CO₂ only detached 22% of lice, compared to 33% for ethyl acetate, 56% for ether and 76% for chloroform. In addition, CO₂ (unlike the other chemicals) did not kill the lice, which quickly recovered when given fresh air.