We have a small production farm in central Fl. Most of
our grow out pens are 10x12 pasture pens. Thus this means they are on the soil. Sand and clay seem to make
a perfect breeding bed for eye worms. Doe's anyone have
a suggestion on what type of treatment we can apply to
the ground to rid ourselves of this problem. The product we use must be enviormentally friendly for we
have an exotic bird breeding facility not 200 yds from
the pasture pens.

Damerow says the intermediate host for eyeworms are cockroaches. Maybe an exterminator could recommend an environmentally friendly way to eliminate these on a regular basis and go a long way toward reducing your chances of seeing the worms. Could your county extension agent tell you more about when the worm cycle could best be broken by treatment of the chickens or the soil or both?

Thankyou for your input Dr.Smith The area were talking
about is approximately 2 Acers. If I, treated the area
around the pens with seven dust would that help?.

This is a new problem I've never heard of! I don't think I've ever seen it discussed on the board here either, (and I think I've read them all!)

Could you please tell me what these eye worms are, the symptoms and a description?

Here's the info from the nematode chart in Damerow: It's Manson's eyeworm, Oxyspirura mansoni; white slender 0.3-0.8" and 8-20 mm long; intermediate host is the cockroach; affects the eye; symptoms are scratching of eyes, watery inflamed swollen eyes, yawning, headshaking, death; severity is mild-moderate in adult birds; treatment with ivermectin three drops in eye twice daily.
Ron: I can't answer your question. An exterminator would be the best person to ask. I know bugs are bad in Florida, but maybe going after places roaches like to hang out would help, too. Let us know how you decide to attack the bad guys, and how it works. Good luck.

Dr. Smith; Once again thankyou we will take your
suggestion to heart and see what they recomend. I will let you know the outcome.

Ron:

Dr. Bruces Smith's advise is sound, the experts should be able to give the best, ecological feedback.
I personally use 5% sevin dust to keep parasites at bay but I have read posts by environmentalists on several site about the hazards of sevin due to its long life. Apparently it remains in the soil for a very long time so considering your concern it would likely not be the best solution.

Good Luck,
James