Malaban / Malawash / Maldison / Grays Poultry Dust WARNING

Poultry Red Mite is truely one of the most infuriating critters, requiring multiple treatments of certain chemicals as a means of environmental control to reduce their population as high numbers can cause everything from irritation, reduced egg laying capacity or even death.

On some poultry forums or community discussion pages, products containing 'malathion' are sometimes recommended for their high level of effectiveness. In Australia, such products containing malathion are marketed as Grays Poultry Dust, Malaban, Malawash and Maldison.

Before leaping to the local livestock store with this brief shopping list in hand, please research your choice of chemical treatment carefully. Aussie Chook Supplies does not stock this product due to it's highly toxic nature. Products containing malathion are banned in India completely and in Europe from field use to mention two, have a cruise around Google for lots more information on where it is banned and why.  In Australia, it is currently in the final stages of review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) due to it's classification as a Class 2 Carcinogen by the International Agency for Reserach on Cancer (IARC).

Despite it's use as a pesticide in Australia being heavily restricted due to it's critical effects, such as inhibiting red blood cell cholinesterase (ChE) and causing adverse central nervous system effects at higher concentrations, it can still be accessed quite readily.
 

Basic Safety Precautions

Due to malathion still being available, it is very important to read the warning labels, safety directions and take as many precautions you can if you continue to use it. 

At a minimum, it is recommended that you do everything to take care of your health and minimise exposure to the product by wearing appropriate safety gear (full safety goggles and gloves along with closed toe boots/shoes) and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after use.

It is also recommended to take a bath or shower and use soap and water to clean off any possible contaminents, as well as washing your hair before changing into a new/clean clothes. Then the clothes that were worn during the application of the malathion should be washed separately from anything else in hot water with appropriate soap and hung out to dry. 

 

Further Reading / Resources

Safely using insecticides containing maldison (malathion) on plants - New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority

Malaban Wash Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Malaban Wash Concentrate Label Warning

APVMA Special Gazette 22nd November 2022 
Refer to Attachment A (Pg. 3) Active Constituent approval(s), product registration(s) and approved labels(s) placed under reconsideration