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From: reynolds@felix.UUCP (David Lee Reynolds)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Lice on birds, wild and domestic...
Summary: How to get rid of them safely, w/out poison.
Keywords: LICE DOVES WILD BIRDS
Message-ID: <148066@felix.UUCP>
Date: 17 Jul 90 18:52:55 GMT
Reply-To: reynolds@felix.UUCP (David Lee Reynolds)
Organization: FileNet Corp., Costa Mesa, CA
Lines: 44


	Hello Net-landers,

	I have a few questions regarding a SAFE and reliable way to remove
these disgusting parasites.  

	I was clipping our male white dove's wing last night, (He was being a
little aggressive to the new female I am trying to pair with him, and clipping 
the wing slows him down, but he can still fly), and I notest that around his
pure white neck was a dark ring.  Closer inspection revealed that he had a 
semi-clear 'bug' that can only be described as Bird-Lice!  

	Question:

	How are Lice transmitted, by contact, or can they actually fly?

	My doves (all 6 of them) are in a free flight aviary, but can not come
	in contact with other birds.  How did they get them?

	What steps can I take to rid them of these little buggers?

	What about wild birds, how does Mother-Nature take care of this problem?

	The reason I am turning to you, the net, is because I don't believe
that shaking, spraying, or other-wise putting poison on my pets will not also
have some ill effect on their other-wise perfect health.  (My other pair of
doves breed every 4 weeks, like clock-work).
	
	With other animals, to get rid of, say flees, I have great success with
feeding them garlic, and the flees don't stick around much after about a week
of this treatment!  (may-be it's the bad breath? ;-})

	The lice seem to be driving them absolutely crazy with scratching and
biting, and I want to resolve this issue ASAP.

	If there is a safe way to rid birds of these things, I will start to
administer the treatment to my wild bird feeders as well!!!

	Please respond via E-mail, and I can post the comments all at once.

			Thank You For Your Time!!!

		   	    David Lee Reynolds
			(legs,spsd,zardoz,hplabs,oliveb)!felix!reynolds