Attack of the mosquitos!!

[showjumper_girl2002]

Hi all! I live in FL and mosquitos are a constant problem. I honestly never thought about them affecting my girls. But tonight when I went out to lock up the coop, I shined a flashlight in to make sure all girls were accounted for and was horrified at what I saw! There were hundreds, if not thousands, of mosquitos swarming my poor girls Does anyone have any suggestions on natural ways I can help control the mosquitos and give my poor girls some reprieve? I've read a bunch of stuff online, but not sure how much of it actually works so I'd like to get some suggestions.

 

[slippednfell]

I am a mosquito magnet so to sit on our deck overlooking our ducks on the pond, I have planters with the following: basil, rosemary, lemon balm, lemon grass, lemon time, sage, lavender and citronella plants. That being said, some of these are okay for chickens to eat and I'm willing to bet that some aren't. I also don't know if you can maybe use a hanging planter to keep your chicks out of it or not.

If someone has a better suggestion, I am all ears and open minded.

 

[Folly's place]

Pyrethrin spray in the coop and on the birds, or the longer lasting but not organically approver permethrin spray or dust.
During the day the birds will eat them, but not overnight.
Mary

 

[sylviethecochin]

I don't know your setup, but can you put up screen? You can buy it by the yard at many home improvement stores.

 

[Wezdin]

I use a trap called a dynatrap, it attracts with a light then sucks them in, that has worked great for me.

 

[Folly's place]

Screening helps, but if the coop door is opened all day, it will have limited usefulness.
Don't get bitten yourself!!!
Repellant plants, like citronella flavored geraniums, may help, if the birds don't eat them first.
Mary

 

[so lucky]

Would a fan help? I think it helps with gnats.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, if it can be set up safely. Not a gale, but air movement is good.
Mosquitoes aren't the health risk to the chickens that they are to us!
Mary

 

[TwoChicksChix]

So I live in Florida as well. I have a screen up over all windows and areas that mosquitos might be able to get in.

I also have skin so soft that I spray them with at night to keep the mosquitos away.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

Thank you everyone! I'm going to put some screen over the windows and see if that helps.

I didn't know you could put skin so soft on them. I will try that too.

I feel so bad for them. When I opened the coop this morning it was still full of those dang blood suckers! A giant cloud came pouring out when I opened the door.