Bees in the chicken feed

[janiedoe]

I'm having a problem with sweat bees.
It started about two weeks ago. We had already had a light freeze before they showed up.
We have had two mild freezes since then (28f to 29f for just a couple of hours) and they apparently aren't affected by cold weather.
They are in all my feeders and my chickens don't seem too concerned but there are so many of them!
I use Purina Flock Raiser if it matters and am in East Texas.

Any ideas on how to get rid of them?

 

[CluckerFamily]

According to google, sweat bees nest in soil or very soft wood. Any chance they have a nest under the feeders or in the nearby wood?

 

[janiedoe]

According to google, sweat bees nest in soil or very soft wood. Any chance they have a nest under the feeders or in the nearby wood?

That is a possibility. They're are woods across the fence. Any idea what I can do to discourage them from hanging out in the feed?

 

[CluckerFamily]

That is a possibility. They're are woods across the fence. Any idea what I can do to discourage them from hanging out in the feed?

One website had some ideas: plant flowers, add air/fan, keep grass thick... none of this would help But a recommendation was mint! Mint repels sweat bees. Either plant mint plants in pots, rub mint leaves around or use mint spray, peppermint would work too.

 

[cmom]

That's one thing I haven't had to deal with. We do have bees but they go after pollen. Flies are another thing during certain times of the year. Hopefully someone will know. I'm going to google it.

 

[janiedoe]

One website had some ideas: plant flowers, add air/fan, keep grass thick... none of this would help But a recommendation was mint! Mint repels sweat bees. Either plant mint plants in pots, rub mint leaves around or use mint spray, peppermint would work too.

Mint sounds great! I will try the spray. Thank you.

 

[janiedoe]

It has been a rough year here, where insects are concerned. Bees, flies, mosquitoes we still have them. I have a few chickens with dry pox.
I don't recall ever having had them this time of year. My husband says they're adapting to cold and it will probably be worse every year. I'm hoping he is wrong.
I'll definitely plant more mint next year.

 

[CluckerFamily]

It has been a rough year here, where insects are concerned. Bees, flies, mosquitoes we still have them. I have a few chickens with dry pox.
I don't recall ever having had them this time of year. My husband says they're adapting to cold and it will probably be worse every year. I'm hoping he is wrong.
I'll definitely plant more mint next year.

For mosquitoes, lavender and geraniums repel mosquitoes. You could do some hanging pots or taller pots around the run, or ones that you can move around so that the chickens can eat the grubs under the pots.

 

[janiedoe]

For mosquitoes, lavender and geraniums repel mosquitoes. You could do some hanging pots or taller pots around the run, or ones that you can move around so that the chickens can eat the grubs under the pots.

That's a great idea. My thumb is rather black but my husband has a green one.

 

[BlueBaby]

I've been having bee's coming in my pen when I feed my flock, too. I have also noticed that when they do, some of my chicken's are grabbing and eating them.