Mosquitoes, Gnats, and Flies

[gohappy]

Here in north Florida we have a lot of rain and a lot of bugs. So I wanted to share what we have done to help keep the mosquitoes, gnats, and flies out of our coop and run. Mosquitoes netting! It is a bit of a pain to roll it up to let the girls out and to collect the eggs as this mesh will rip easily, but it has been worth it. We used to have so many insects in the coop and run, now we have just a few. The few flying bugs that are inside will get caught in the netting trying to get out and at this point it is easy to squish them. Throwing the netting over the whole coop is just temporary as one day we will cut it to size and staple it to the wood. I bought two of the mosquito netting that is supposed to hang over a king size bed.

Since we have had so much rain the fire ants have found their way to high ground (where we had to move the coop to so they would not flood). To help with this I turn the dirt inside and out everyday and place DE inside but not sure this helps much as the ground is damp in the run.

We do still have a few bugs in the coop and with the mosquitoes going and laying in the nesting boxes, so if anyone has any natural suggestions to place in the coop, nesting boxes, and run will be very thankful

 

[Whitepinefarm]

Here in north Florida we have a lot of rain and a lot of bugs. So I wanted to share what we have done to help keep the mosquitoes, gnats, and flies out of our coop and run. Mosquitoes netting! It is a bit of a pain to roll it up to let the girls out and to collect the eggs as this mesh will rip easily, but it has been worth it. We used to have so many insects in the coop and run, now we have just a few. The few flying bugs that are inside will get caught in the netting trying to get out and at this point it is easy to squish them. Throwing the netting over the whole coop is just temporary as one day we will cut it to size and staple it to the wood. I bought two of the mosquito netting that is supposed to hang over a king size bed.

Since we have had so much rain the fire ants have found their way to high ground (where we had to move the coop to so they would not flood). To help with this I turn the dirt inside and out everyday and place DE inside but not sure this helps much as the ground is damp in the run.

We do still have a few bugs in the coop and with the mosquitoes going and laying in the nesting boxes, so if anyone has any natural suggestions to place in the coop, nesting boxes, and run will be very thankful

I just got a product from my feed store called Fly Beater. It is a natural fly repellent and controls flies, fleas, ticks, lice and can be used on all animals from llamas to chickens. I sprayed the entire coup and also my chickens. It has a very pleasant smell which repels all those nasties. You respray once the smell has gone in a week or so. It is an all natural botanical formula. It costs $ 9.99 for a quart. It is a mixture of cedarwood, citronella, and clove oils which are the deterrent. I'm using it for the first time so have no comments on its effectiveness but it might help.

 

[gohappy]

That sound wonderful. Thank you

 

[jthornton]

I just got a product from my feed store called Fly Beater.

Are you using the Bonide 46169 Granular Revenge Fly Beater & Odor Reducer? I'll be interested in how that works for you. Anything to help keep them bugs away is a good thing.

JT

 

[LittleMissCountry]

We have tons of gnats and flies here, too. I have a few fat spiders living in the coop that take care of a majority of the bugs. Soon to have more, based on that egg sac. Lol

 

[Whitepinefarm]

Mine is the Fly Beater Natural Fly Repellent made by Bonide but it is 46170. I don't think it is designed as an odor reducer although it smells awfully clean and fresh when applied.

 

[jthornton]

Mine is the Fly Beater Natural Fly Repellent made by Bonide but it is 46170. I don't think it is designed as an odor reducer although it smells awfully clean and fresh when applied.

Thanks, let us know how effective it is.

JT

 

[k2panman]

Bonide 46169 Granular Revenge Fly Beater & Odor Reducer - looking at the ingredients, this stuff is 2% cedar, 1% citronella and 1% clove oils and the rest is filler (water, mineral oil or vegetable oil?). My experience with citronella oil is that it doesn't seem to repel bugs very much at all. If I had to smell clove oil for very long, I'd puke. It reminds me of my childhood trips to the dentist office. Can't stand that stuff to this day! I don't know how much cedar runs them off, but I love the smell of Eastern Red Cedar, but Western Red Cedar makes my eyes water and makes me sneeze.

I too would like to hear if anyone has success with this product or these ingredients.