Any ideas on effective lice control? Has anyone tried Shaklee's 'Basic H'?

Used motor oil from an oil change is what the old timers recommend around here. It does work but you do have to continue reapplying. Another option that would be a little more costly could be either feeding or sprinkling on diatomaceous earth. There is a small college in North Carolina that raises pastured pigs and they may have a suggestion. I will try to get in touch with them.

In my opinion, lice are just like worms or other parasites, they exist for a reason, possibly to feed the birds.

Thanks. We are using diatomaceous earth. It works pretty well, but requires fairly consistant application. I am more concerned about the effect of the lice on the expected piglets than on the boar and sows. I wonder if somehow applying Basic H would have any effect.

I have never heard of Basic H and would not know where to get it. If you were really wanting to get rid of the lice, you could put them up on concrete for a week, wash and shave them to give the lice a chance to die off. Neem shampoo or tea tree shampoo would probably work well.

I've thought about getting a guinea fowl, I bet putting one in with the pigs would keep the lice down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guineafowl

I just love seeing other women who go to hold the piglet and then I tell them it may be lousy. The look on their faces is just priceless! ;)

get for real people. sorry to seem rude, but motor oil? concrete, shaving? come on...... I thought this was a site that promoted healthier living. The DE is a great idea, and it works. I have not heard of Basic H for lice, I use it for worms, I put it in their water. Another idea I discovered was one time I put Apple Cider Vinegar in a pan for them to drink ( for worms also) and some of the pigs with lice tried to wallow, or lay in the pan, so I poured it on them--kind of bathed them in it-- . I am not sure which one of the many things I tried is the one -or combo- but no more lice. and it was natural, and easy.

Huge fan of the guimea fowl or chickens...keep the ticks of our dogs and kids too...Motor oil...ahhh, no sense to it!

We have a Buddy turkey. He is a hand raised Royal Palm turkey and if we notice lice on one of the pigs we just apply Buddy while they sleep. For the lop-eared pigs (We raise Large Blacks and GOS along with our Tamworths) we just flip the ear up and Buddy picks em right out.. We tried several over the counter products prior to the turkey and there is not anything that works as well :) The pigs even like Buddy. He rides on their backs out on pasture regularly. Its quite a sight.