Study

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.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Remove ectoparasites from feathers to increase survival or reproductive success

Action Link
Bird Conservation
  1. 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, CO (unlike the other chemicals) did not kill the lice, which quickly recovered when given fresh air.

     

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