Mosquitoes!

[craftyredhead]

Hi! We've got a small 50sqft hen house for our laying hens, and lately every time we open the main door or the nest box hatches we get attacked by a small cloud of mosquitos. I make my own soap, so I have a ton of essential oils on hand, and I know that quite a few repel mosquitoes, but I don't know which ones are safe to be around chickens and a turkey.
I'm open to any other way to get rid of the mosquitoes as well, but we do prefer to stay pretty natural here. Thanks for your help!

 

[waddles99]

Correct me if i am wrong, but aren't essential oils made from natural ingredients? I make candles and i think that fragrance oils are not made from natural ingredients(unsafe around chickens) and essential oils are made from natural ingredients(safe to use around chickens).

 

[123RedBeard]

Try a fan and screening ... https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-coop-and-make-your-chickens-more-comfortable

 

[craftyredhead]

Hey waddles! I know some oils aren't good around certain animals/people, like peppermint oil isn't recommended around pregnant women, etc. I wasn't sure if there were any that chickens might react badly to.
Thanks redbeard, I'll look at that!

 

[waddles99]

Hey waddles! I know some oils aren't good around certain animals/people, like peppermint oil isn't recommended around pregnant women, etc. I wasn't sure if there were any that chickens might react badly to.
Thanks redbeard, I'll look at that!

Yeah, i wasn't sure about that one. I think redbeard has a good idea. I was also going to also suggest horse fly spray, but that fan idea looks better.

 

[RonP]

Funny, just had the same issue.

I ran a leaf blower almost every time I entered the coop for a while...

First time this was ever an issue.

My guess is that the conditions were perfect for the mosquitoes this year...

 

[aart]

'Essential' oils, fragrances, can be irritating to the respiratory system, they are to mine anyway....and they don't always keep the skeeters away.
I imagine that using enough to effect the insects, could likely bother the chickens.

Just cause it's 'natural' doesn't mean it's not toxic.

 

[craftyredhead]

Exactly, that's why I wanted to ask you experts!

 

[aart]

Exactly, that's why I wanted to ask you experts!

You could try some in just one nest...see if the girls will go in there, and if the skeeters stay out.

 

[craftyredhead]

Not a bad idea. I might do just a little in a corner box!