Curing an infestation of Pigeons Flies

Over the past year or so, I've rescued 5 squeakers, treated them for various illnesses, helped them mature and then released them. They all hang around and three of them come back every night to roost. Two of those three now have a newborn baby in a nest they built in an out-of-the way cranny (I'll get around to posting baby pictures in another thread).

The question I have for this thread concerns parasites and how to keep them off the baby. All five of my released ferals (including the new parents) regularly mingle with the local feral flock, where they pick up pigeon flies and sometimes mites. Every now and then I catch two of three of "my" five pigeons and spray them (one at a time) with Scalex, but the pigeon flies are usually back within a day or two, presumably picked up from members of the feral flock, which has about 75 to 100 birds.

The only solution I can think of is to treat the whole flock. The best strategy I've come up with so far is to buy a couple of kiddie pools, add something to the water to kill the pigeon flies, and just keep letting everyone take baths every day until all the flies are dead.

So now I have three questions. First, what is the best thing to add to the bath water to kill pigeon flies, second does this plan have any hope of working, and third, does anyone have any other ideas for the best way to treat a flock this size for pigeon flies and mites?

Hi Jim,
As far as suggesting a good way to treat the flock for bugs . . . You kiddie pool idea sounds like a good one to me. Exactly what you would put in the water, that I don't know. I have read where some folks add Borax (twenty mule team Borax) to their bird's bath water. I honestly don't know if it helps to keep the bugs away though.

I will be interested, as well, to read other member's suggestions.

"Two of those three now have a newborn baby in a nest they built in an out-of-the way cranny (I'll get around to posting baby pictures in another thread)."
That would be super! We love pictures.

Only safe way I know to control ectoparasites through bath water are bath salts for pigeons, at least this is what I would use. Anything else may poison your birds if they drink or irritate eyes.

http://www.nepigeonsupplies.com/catalog.php?category=Insecticides%20and%20Poison

I use apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon to gallon of water and 2~3 drops Lysterine mouthwash. Works well.

for the suggestions, Plamenh.

The Pigeons are lucky that we don't have Pigeon Fly in my area. I had never heard of them until seveal years ago when I was told about them form an individual living in the Bay area. That rescuer always sprayed every rescue with Scalex before bringing the bird inside.
As for the flock, I hope the bath works. You know they will enjoy appreciate it because Pigeons love to be clean.

Some people put a little borax in the water as well. It works pretty well, as bugs don't like it. In taxidermy, they sprinkle it on and rub it into the fur as it keeps the bugs out. I have used it in the bath as have a lot of others, and it doesn't bother them.

Great suggestions! I think I'll try them too, because in summer there are loads of them, and when ferals get in they pass them on to the indoor pigeons.

Plamen, which one(s) do you use? On the link I saw 3 kinds, 'elite', 'natural' and 'Dr. Pigeon'.

Anyone will do. From time to time I just put sea salt and ACV in their water and it works.