Lemongrass bedding

[EddieSalita]

I'm testing out a new bedding that has appeared in our local rural supplies. Pic below.

It's 100% lemongrass straw and mulch. It has a mild lemongrass scent that lingers. I'm using it in nesting boxes and the coop floor. It's a bit early to tell but we are at the end of the wet season. It's been a particularly wet one, even by our sub tropical standards. We haven't has any sign of mites since using it. I'm not saying it prevents them. But we usually have some sort of small mite by this time of the year. Easily treated with permethrin. Time will tell I guess.

The hens really like it. I've put sugar cane mulch which is a very similar consistency in some nesting boxes, and their usual fair. They definitely prefer the lemongrass lined boxes.

No sign of ants as yet either. Ants were previously ever present.

Has anyone used a similar thing, and how did you find it?

It's an Australian product, so maybe it's not a thing in other countries?

We grow a lot of lemongrass on our block. It's a nice shade plant for the hens and border plant. Immensely hardy... and of course used in cooking. I never thought to use it like this. I may have a crack at making some of my own lemongrass mulch with the woodchipper and see how it goes. Just got to figure out how to dry it without it blowing away. Any ideas on that would be appreciated.

 

[Debbie292d]

Wow, that's interesting. I know here in Wisconsin, some people grow it for mosquito control. It might be helpful during mosquito season!

 

[Rayraynaynay]

I'm testing out a new bedding that has appeared in our local rural supplies. Pic below.

It's 100% lemongrass straw and mulch. It has a mild lemongrass scent that lingers. I'm using it in nesting boxes and the coop floor. It's a bit early to tell but we are at the end of the wet season. It's been a particularly wet one, even by our sub tropical standards. We haven't has any sign of mites since using it. I'm not saying it prevents them. But we usually have some sort of small mite by this time of the year. Easily treated with permethrin. Time will tell I guess.

The hens really like it. I've put sugar cane mulch which is a very similar consistency in some nesting boxes, and their usual fair. They definitely prefer the lemongrass lined boxes.

No sign of ants as yet either. Ants were previously ever present.

Has anyone used a similar thing, and how did you find it?

It's an Australian product, so maybe it's not a thing in other countries?

We grow a lot of lemongrass on our block. It's a nice shade plant for the hens and border plant. Immensely hardy... and of course used in cooking. I never thought to use it like this. I may have a crack at making some of my own lemongrass mulch with the woodchipper and see how it goes. Just got to figure out how to dry it without it blowing away. Any ideas on that would be appreciated.

How did this go? Did you try drying it whole in tied up bunches?

 

[Penpal]

Lemongrass is used to repel not only mosquitos, but also ants and flies, ticks, spiders, roaches, moths, fleas, and beetles.

I sometimes use it in my soap. It smells pretty and lingers.

 

[FrostRanger]

Wow, that's interesting. I know here in Wisconsin, some people grow it for mosquito control. It might be helpful during mosquito season!

As someone with a large lemongrass plant on their porch, I can say it doesn't work a bit. Tbf though I just got the plant for culinary reasons so not disappointed in any case. It's also very pretty

 

[Bawkbok]

I have three types of Lemongrass in various places throughout the yard and a patch next to the chicken run - I have not noticed a decrease in mosquitoes or flies.

 

[HillbillyCats]

I'm testing out a new bedding that has appeared in our local rural supplies. Pic below.

It's 100% lemongrass straw and mulch. It has a mild lemongrass scent that lingers. I'm using it in nesting boxes and the coop floor. It's a bit early to tell but we are at the end of the wet season. It's been a particularly wet one, even by our sub tropical standards. We haven't has any sign of mites since using it. I'm not saying it prevents them. But we usually have some sort of small mite by this time of the year. Easily treated with permethrin. Time will tell I guess.

The hens really like it. I've put sugar cane mulch which is a very similar consistency in some nesting boxes, and their usual fair. They definitely prefer the lemongrass lined boxes.

No sign of ants as yet either. Ants were previously ever present.

Has anyone used a similar thing, and how did you find it?

It's an Australian product, so maybe it's not a thing in other countries?

We grow a lot of lemongrass on our block. It's a nice shade plant for the hens and border plant. Immensely hardy... and of course used in cooking. I never thought to use it like this. I may have a crack at making some of my own lemongrass mulch with the woodchipper and see how it goes. Just got to figure out how to dry it without it blowing away. Any ideas on that would be appreciated.

I dried the leaves of my lemon grass plant last winter , by tying it up in bundles and hanging from the rafters in my shed.

 

[Bawkbok]

There are several types of lemongrass. We have some that grows like a large clump of grass - 4 feet tall about the same diameter. It spreads from a circle outward. It was gorgeous, lush and green and the scent permeated the air. Then it got decimated and ripped to shreds by the two hurricanes last year. Looks dead. I am hopeful it will recover. I pulled some dried strands from it last week and ended up with 9 splinters since I prefer to work without gloves as I prefer to feel the earth and the fauna I'm working with. I was going to use it in the run as we use deep litter method until I acquired all the splinters. Made me think it could be a bumble foot opportunity.