Well, using my soap EO's that have that camphor essence, eucalyptus, rosemary, lemongrass, I made a shampoo/dip for my chickens. All 7 girls have a pretty bad red mite infestation and a broody hen that is malnourished because she rarely leaves her nest is particularly in trouble. Her comb is pale and she is very underweight despite the fresh lettuce, chard, and kale I bring her. To get rid of the coop infestation, I used a cinnamon essential oil plus other oils in combo. The cinnamon oil was sitting on the shelf without purpose since it is not useable for skin due to allergies, but per a test, it will kill mites on the spot. The coop spray is as follows: In a 32 oz spray bottle add 1/2 cup of home-made liquid soap (can also use dish detergent used for hand washing dishes), 1T cinnamon oil, 1 T rosemary oil, 1 T lemon eucalyptus oil and filled to volume with tap water, shook well. For the chicken dip, I used Tea Tree floral water, 2 cups, 1 teaspoon tea tree, 1 teaspoon rosemary oil, 1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil, and 1-2 Tablespoons liquid soap, diluted all to 3 gallons. Coop and chickens smell lovely and the mites are in control. I'll post a follow up in 2 weeks. If it doesn't work, it's going to be Ivermectin and Wazine per chicken forum advice.
On a side note, I also use the cinnamon oil mixed with dish detergent to wash hardwood floors as a flea, ant, roach deterrent and I love the subtle smoky cinnamon smell. The oil was a gift from a supplier and I can afford no more. When it runs out, cedarwood, eucaplyptus, lemongrass, or rosemary oil used in 1 teaspoon per 2 teaspoons soap soft will replace it. Sometimes I also add d-limonene or orange oil at 1 teaspoon to the detergent since this is a great cleaner and good for wood. Also made a huge batch of soaps per a request for wedding favors. 122 bars! I'm a busy girl!!
