Kill the beetles. Keep the birds.
- Eliminates darkling beetles without harming poultry
- Breaks the beetle-to-bird disease cycle
- Natural formula — no chemical residue in the house
- Apply between flocks or during production
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Desecticide delivers breakthrough natural technology specifically formulated to control soft-bodied pests, with exceptional results against mites in poultry and horses. This FIFRA 25(b) exempt pesticide uses safe, natural ingredients to provide fast contact kill without harsh chemicals. Benefits of...
See Desecticide Darkling Beetle Solution in Action
Darkling beetles are costing you more than you think
Disease Vectors
Darkling beetles carry E. coli, Salmonella, Marek's disease, and other pathogens. Every beetle in your house is a disease reservoir that reinfects flock after flock.
Feed Waste
A heavily infested house may lose an estimated 5-10% of feed to beetle consumption. That's money disappearing into insects instead of bird growth.
Structural Damage
Beetle larvae bore into insulation, wooden framing, and styrofoam. Over time, they compromise your house's thermal envelope, driving up heating and cooling costs.
How It Works
| Feature | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Natural active ingredients | No chemical residue left in the house — safe for birds during and after application |
| Kills beetles at all life stages | Targets adults, larvae, and pupae for comprehensive population control |
| Apply during production | No need to wait for cleanout — treat active houses without removing birds |
| Compatible with litter treatments | Use alongside Big Ole Bird, Litter Life, and other Southland products |
| Concentrate formula | Dilutes for economical coverage of large commercial houses |
Application: Pump sprayer or boom sprayer
Commercial broiler house — cleanout (between flocks): • Mix 1 gallon concentrate per 20 gallons of water • Spray litter, walls, posts, and under equipment • A standard 40×500 house requires 2-3 gallons concentrate per cleanout • Allow to dry before placing new bedding Commercial house — during production: • Mix 1 gallon concentrate per 30 gallons of water • Spray perimeter walls, posts, and beetle congregation areas • A standard 40×500 house requires 1-2 gallons concentrate for perimeter treatment • Avoid direct contact with feed and water lines Layer and breeder houses: • Same dilution rates as broiler houses • Focus on pit areas, under slats, and manure belt areas • Treat monthly during peak beetle season Maintenance: • Reapply every 2-3 weeks during heavy infestations • Monthly maintenance spray during lower pressure periods
Calculate Exact Quantity for My AreaThe Hidden Cost of Darkling Beetles
Darkling beetles aren’t just a nuisance — they’re a profit leak. In commercial poultry houses, beetle infestations create three compounding problems:
Disease transmission. Beetles are confirmed carriers of E. coli, Salmonella, Marek’s disease, avian influenza, and other pathogens. They reinfect each new flock from the litter, creating a persistent disease cycle that probiotics and vaccines alone can’t fully address.
Feed loss. Industry estimates suggest heavily infested houses may lose 5-10% of feed to beetle consumption. For a 20,000-bird broiler house, that can mean an estimated $400-800 per flock going to insects.
Structural damage. Beetle larvae bore into insulation, wooden posts, and styrofoam panels. Over time, this compromises your house’s thermal envelope, increasing energy costs and requiring expensive repairs.
Why Natural Matters
Traditional chemical insecticides leave residue in the house environment, can affect bird health, and often require withdrawal periods or empty-house application windows. Desecticide uses natural active ingredients that target beetle biology without chemical persistence.
This means you can treat during production — not just at cleanout — giving you a continuous control tool instead of periodic knockdown.
Part of a Biosecurity Program
Desecticide works best as part of an integrated approach. Many growers combine it with Big Ole Bird (probiotics for gut health), Litter Life (litter amendment for ammonia and pathogen control), and Catalyst (vitamin supplement) for comprehensive flock health management.
90%+
Beetle Reduction
Grower field reports
Safe
During Production
1,000+
Houses Treated
$0
Bird Withdrawal
We had a darkling beetle problem that was out of control — insulation damage, disease pressure, the whole thing. Two applications of Desecticide during cleanout and we saw a dramatic difference. We spray every flock now.
Customer Reviews
4.8
ONE TREATMENT MAGIC!
This product works amazingly, it only took one treatment spraying my coops and all of my birds (peacocks, Guineas, ducks, rare breeds of chickens, and turkeys of all ages) to get rid of the mites. It also smells great!!!
Worthless
Your product is worthless treating northern fowl mites
GREAT PRODUCT, BUT SHIPPING KILLS IT!
The product itself is very good, great results. But unfortunately I will not be purchasing it again as the shipping on it cost as much as the product. Product $40. Shipping $45.60 !!! That’s unacceptable
Value
Mites be gone!
This has been the only thing to get my mite problem under control. I tried a couple of different products, including Elector PSP with no results. I like that it doesn't have any harsh chemicals and I love the clove scent it has.
Natural, safe, and effective
So easy to use! Mix and spray. Safe ingredients mean I don't have to worry about it getting on me and safe for chickens to walk on when still wet. Seems to be taking care of the mite problem. Must treat a few times due to life cycle. Smells awesome too! Hope the chicks like it as much as I do
MIRACULOUS SOLUTION!
My horse suffered terribly from hives caused by dust mites. Desecticide solved our problem! I spray both the stall and the horse. Miraculous!!
LOVE THIS PRODUCT!
Very happy with this product. No residue left behind, dries clean and has a pleasant smell. Looking forward to trying other products with Southland Organics 🐓
Works great!
Hopefully it works as good as advertised, but it does have a very pleasant scent.
Highly recommend for your chickens
I was really impressed with Desecticide | Natural Insecticide for Poultry. Some of my poor hens looked terrible. Between the mites and molting they were having a hard time. The hens skin was bright red and inflamed. I mixed the product as recommended, I sprayed the entire coop and empty nest boxes. That night when the hens were roasted, I sprayed them very thoroughly. The smell is not overpowering, smells like clean cloves. 14 days later I repeated the process, my hens are looking great. There feathers are growing back and their skin is no longer red. Thank you. Great product Read more
I was really impressed with Desecticide | Natural Insecticide for Poultry. Some of my poor hens looked terrible. Between the mites and molting they were having a hard time. The hens skin was bright red and inflamed. I mixed the product as recommended, I sprayed the entire coop and empty nest boxes. That night when the hens were roasted, I sprayed them very thoroughly. The smell is not overpowering, smells like clean cloves. 14 days later I repeated the process, my hens are looking great. There feathers are growing back and their skin is no longer red. Thank you. Great product
Great Product! Wish I new about it sooner.
I like the product, that it doesn’t hurt any thing. I wish it came in a smaller bottle already mixed. I’m sharing this with my friends because of the big size. The product works really well. My hens are getting their feathers back.
An Eco Friendly Way to Remove Darkling Beetles
This stuff kills the beetles within seconds of spraying them and doesn't harm our chickens.
Good product
So far i think it has worked. I got the 2.5 gallon bucket so i could spray once every two weeks. I have a 720 sq ft coop. 245 chickens total with a 3500 sq ft yard. I spray the roost bars abt a hour before they come in to make sure its covered an still get some on their feet. The smell is very nice. Read more
So far i think it has worked. I got the 2.5 gallon bucket so i could spray once every two weeks. I have a 720 sq ft coop. 245 chickens total with a 3500 sq ft yard. I spray the roost bars abt a hour before they come in to make sure its covered an still get some on their feet. The smell is very nice.
Mites be gone
While we were spraying this I could literally feel the mites going away. I attract all biting bugs. These mites were driving me crazy, bites everywhere. My poor chickies! Not any more, this stuff just works. Thank you for a great and safe product.
MITES BE GONE!
I had mites show up before I put chickens in, probably from all the song birds in area. Sprayed this desecticide in coop and run and they all disappeared overnight. I put chickens in and haven’t seen any mites. Very pleased with results.
FLY & MOSQUITO MAGIC!
I use it around horse stables and home. Works great to control flies and mosquitoes.
MITES BE GONE! ⭐️
I was surely hoping after an outbreak of mites in the chicken coop that desecticide would work. I had a friend that said she had tried going the natural route only to be disappointed. Well that was not the case at all. One spray of the runs, inside the coop and on the chickens and overnight my mite infestation was gone. I ordered a big 2.5gallon to replace my qt I used thinking I would have to repeat. But I was pleasantly surprised. Southland Organics has never let me down. ⭐️ Read more
I was surely hoping after an outbreak of mites in the chicken coop that desecticide would work. I had a friend that said she had tried going the natural route only to be disappointed. Well that was not the case at all. One spray of the runs, inside the coop and on the chickens and overnight my mite infestation was gone. I ordered a big 2.5gallon to replace my qt I used thinking I would have to repeat. But I was pleasantly surprised. Southland Organics has never let me down. ⭐️
Southland Organics replied
Hey Chrissy D.! We're thrilled to hear that our desecticide worked so effectively for your mite situation, and that Southland Organics could come through for you once again! Thanks for such a stellar review – you've just made our day!
SAFE AND SMELLS GREAT!
Great smell, chickens don’t mind it. I like knowing that it is safe for the animals and environment.
Desecticide - it's the best!
We LOVE this product !! We have tried all sorts of things to get rid of scaly leg mites on our hens. The only product that is making a difference is desecticide. We have tried other products that never really worked and were messy and nasty to breathe for both us and our chickens. Not only does Desecticide work but it's gentle - gentle on the hens, gentle on our lungs and skin. Our chickens have pink feet again! It's worth every penny. Read more
We LOVE this product !! We have tried all sorts of things to get rid of scaly leg mites on our hens. The only product that is making a difference is desecticide. We have tried other products that never really worked and were messy and nasty to breathe for both us and our chickens. Not only does Desecticide work but it's gentle - gentle on the hens, gentle on our lungs and skin. Our chickens have pink feet again! It's worth every penny.
SOLVED OUR ALLERGY PROBLEM!
My horse suffered badly (hives) from an allergy to mites. We now spray his stall and him with Desecticide. This seems to have solved our allergy problem. Would love to spread the word to other horse owners!
Southland Organics replied
Hey Wendy W.! Thank you for sharing your positive experience with Desecticide! We're thrilled it has helped your horse's allergy problem and we greatly appreciate you spreading the word.
Great cleaner and killer
Great stuff to kill the mites.
Donkey hair is back!
My donkey had a bare spot by her tail, and I thought it was just because of her rolling all the time and she wore the hair off. Well, I got to thinking that maybe she was itchy and that it could be mites, so I sprayed her stall and kept spraying her bald spot with the Desecticide and in no time the hair was growing back, you can't even tell she was missing any hair!!! I'm happy and so is she!! Read more
My donkey had a bare spot by her tail, and I thought it was just because of her rolling all the time and she wore the hair off. Well, I got to thinking that maybe she was itchy and that it could be mites, so I sprayed her stall and kept spraying her bald spot with the Desecticide and in no time the hair was growing back, you can't even tell she was missing any hair!!! I'm happy and so is she!!
Southland Organics replied
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us! We’re thrilled to hear that Desecticide helped your donkey’s hair grow back and that she’s happy and itch-free again! It’s always rewarding to know that our product made such a positive difference for both of you. If you ever need anything else or have any more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help keep those bare spots at bay! 😊
Great product.
Always excellent.
This is a wonderful product. It certainly reduces the mites in our yard and does not bother the other plants we have.
Kills palmetto bugs/American cockroach/giant flying roaches!
This will kill palmetto bugs ( American cockroach; giant flying roaches)! I sprayed this on a few in my barn, and it killed them faster than other commercial/toxic sprays. As a longtime Florida resident, this is an incredible find. I love that it's safe for animals, non-toxic, and smells great.
Southland Organics replied
Hey Alyson! We're thrilled to hear our product is doing the bug-busting job! Thanks for the great review.
AWESOME SAUCE!
FABULOUS PRODUCT!!! one treatment, no more lice !~ Smells great, safe to use. LOVE IT
Southland Organics replied
Hi! Thanks a bunch for the glowing review! Delighted to hear you're lice-free and loving Desecticide.
Not sure yet
Not sure about it yet. We have sprayed the pen and I still found some mites. It never has been a heavy infestation-in fact I’m the only one who has found them. We sprayed again this morning and are planning to do it again in three more days.
Southland Organics replied
Hi Carole, we appreciate your feedback and understand your concerns about the mites. It can sometimes take a few treatments for pests to be completely eradicated, so your plan to spray again sounds like an effective approach. Remember that Desecticide provides a contact kill, so you have to spray the bugs directly for maximum effectiveness.
Worked VERY well and shipped out so quickly!
Good desecticide
This stuff works to keep mites at bay.
Southland Organics replied
Wow, fantastic to hear Desecticide is keeping those pesky mites at bay! Your support means a lot to us, thanks for the top-notch review.
Bye Bye Feather Mites (Horse)
I’m using it under my Gypsy Vanner’s overhang to eradicate mites in his environment. Feather mites are a royal pain…they cause Mallenders and Sallenders and other skin issues in heavily feathered horse breeds. They will keep coming back as long as they are in the environment regardless of the endless battle in the feathers . I’ve used this product twice now and it seems to be effective ….as well as safe . Read more
I’m using it under my Gypsy Vanner’s overhang to eradicate mites in his environment. Feather mites are a royal pain…they cause Mallenders and Sallenders and other skin issues in heavily feathered horse breeds. They will keep coming back as long as they are in the environment regardless of the endless battle in the feathers . I’ve used this product twice now and it seems to be effective ….as well as safe .
Southland Organics replied
Wow, thanks so much for sharing your experience using Desecticide for feather mites on a horse! I'm so happy to hear that this has been an effective way to control mites on your Gypsy Vanner. Your trust in our product's effectiveness and safety means the world to us.
I hate lice!
It works well. This is my first time dealing with chicken lice and diligence is your friend!
Southland Organics replied
Hey Laurelin, I hate lice too! I'm so happy to hear that Desecticide was helpful in your battle against these pests. Thanks for trying it out and for leaving a review!
It works great
Southland Organics replied
So glad to hear this, Flossie! Thanks so much for your review.
Great stuff
Works great and smells good
Great smelling chicken coop.
Did not expect it to smell so good. And within about two days I noticed a major improvement in the reduction of mites and even a reduction in the fly population. I sprayed again in seven days and am thrilled with the results. I will buy more.
Bugs be gone
This product works great. I would recommend this product.
Happy birds!
I really like this product! It’s safer for the hens and leaves the coop smelling nice to boot! We struggle with mites and especially this year as it’s been wet. An occasional spraying of the nesting area and roost has kept them at bay. Thank you for this small miracle!
Awesome stuff!!
Been two weeks and I already see major improvement!! The smell is wonderful too!! There was a shipping issue and customer service was amazing and fast at fixing the issue!!
Worked great
This worked great for killing bugs. It worked almost on contact. Will continue to use this product.
Bugs in my nest boxes.
Remove babies, clean boxes, spray, put in new nest bowls after it dried approx 5 minutes. Two weeks later cleaned box again, babies poop a lot. This time no bugs. Still sprayed as before. So far very satisfied.
Questions & Answers
Q: Any egg withdrawals?
— Sanarosafarm
A: Morning! No egg withdrawals. Natural ingredients and FIFRA 25-B exempt
Q: Can you spray it on your dog for fleas
— Hankturner811
A: Sorry for the late reply. From a safety standpoint sure! We have never tested it but it would likely work.
Q: How much do you spray on chickens?
— Melinda
A: Hi Melinda, Dilute per the instructions. Spray just enough to "drench" lightly. If you can rub it in through the feathers that would be best!
Q: Is it dangerous to aquatic areas
— Kfryar2015
A: Though Desecticide is FIFRA 25(b) exempt and eco-friendly, avoid spraying near aquatic areas or allowing runoff into streams, ponds, or lakes to prevent potential harm. Basically the essential oils and safe soaps would likely kill fish eggs and harm other parts of the aquatic ecosystem.
Q: My horse is allergic to mites and continuously breaks out in hives from exposure to mites. Is this safe to apply directly to horses? Does it need to be diluted?
— Leah S.
A: Desecticide can be safely used around horses, but it must be diluted before application. For use on animals like horses, dilute 6 ounces of Desecticide per gallon of water. Once diluted, you can apply it as a fine mist or drench to the horse’s coat, avoiding the eyes, nose, and mouth. This can help repel mites and other insects that may trigger allergic reactions and hives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desecticide safe to use while birds are in the house?
Yes. Desecticide uses natural active ingredients that target beetles without harming poultry. You can apply during production by spraying perimeter walls and beetle congregation areas while avoiding direct contact with feed and water lines.
How quickly does it work?
You'll see beetle mortality within 24-48 hours of application. For heavy infestations, a second application 2-3 weeks later targets newly hatched larvae that survived the first treatment.
Will it damage insulation or house materials?
No. Desecticide is water-based and won't damage insulation, wood, metal, or concrete surfaces. It's actually protecting those materials by eliminating the larvae that bore into them.
Can I use it with Litter Life or Big Ole Bird?
Yes. Desecticide is compatible with all Southland Organics poultry products. Many growers use it as part of a comprehensive biosecurity program alongside probiotics and litter treatments.
How much do I need for a standard broiler house?
A 40x500 broiler house typically requires 2-3 gallons of concentrate per cleanout application (mixed at 1:20 ratio). During production, 1-2 gallons covers perimeter treatment.
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Best for: Poultry gut health & litter management
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Kill the beetles. Keep the birds.
$20.00