Buffalo Gnats are back *UPDATE*

[artsyrobin]

So what works?
I have a boy i think is suffering from gnats, once they are attacked what is the best support treatment?

 

[shortgrass]

This stuff is amazing!! The lemon eucalyptus for mosquitoes and the naturals has vanillin and geraniol in it and it works! A little pricey so I'm mixing carrier oil with the herbal extracts so i don't have to pay 6 bucks a bottle

Gnats: 1 part pure vanillin per 10 parts carrier oil ( grapeseed works great) plus geranium oil( just a few drops)

Mosquitoes: 1 part lemongrass and 1 part eucalyptus per 10 parts oil, or 1 part rosemary oil per 10 parts carrier.

Spray down coop, doors, roosts, chickens...use soft rag for heads waddles etc.

I felt so bad for my girls, they had been hiding in the coop for a week Found thus and they finslly peeked out for scratch and radish tops, no bugs were bothering them so I had to share!

 

[rdcowman]

Hi! I just went to let my babies out and noticed that there was little gnats all around a few of my chickens. They kept scratching at there heads. I caught one and they were on there wattle and comb, and on there tail/backs. I quickly went online and found a bunch of websites that say to use vanilla and water, and spray around there heads. I did that, and a little on there backs! i sprayed around in the coop too! I'm really worried though because i read they can kill chickens!?? Do vanilla air freshners work?? Any suggestions would be FANTASCTIC!!
Thanks

 

[LJoWilly]

I have used vanilla with water and sprayed the chickens directly. I hang vanilla car fresheners, and keep a fan on in the coop. The only time I notice them really bad out, is when I let them out to free range in the evening. Thankfully their season is short.

 

[rdcowman]

I have used vanilla with water and sprayed the chickens directly. I hang vanilla car fresheners, and keep a fan on in the coop. The only time I notice them really bad out, is when I let them out to free range in the evening. Thankfully their season is short.

OK! My mom is going to get some vanilla air freshners tomorrow! Only a couple weeks? there is one hen that has some head feathers gone. It's been like that for a month or so... i thought she was molting but i guess not. the gnats seem to be on her the most cause there's no feathers there. i put extra on her. i don;t see the chickens pecking at her or anythihng though.. yah they seemed worse in the evening. right now there's no air so its even worse!

 

[LJoWilly]

It needs to be pure vanilla extract mixed with water. I spray mine in a misting motion above their heads, careful not to get any in their eyes. It usually last 30 minutes to an hour depending on the severity of the gnats. They are attracted to darker colors.. not sure if the head feather loss is from gnats, or something else.

 

[rdcowman]

It needs to be pure vanilla extract mixed with water. I spray mine in a misting motion above their heads, careful not to get any in their eyes. It usually last 30 minutes to an hour depending on the severity of the gnats. They are attracted to darker colors.. not sure if the head feather loss is from gnats, or something else.

Yep i used pure vanilla. Yah basically all the gnats were on my Black Australops! I have 4 of them. The one with the feather loss is a black one too! I'm not sure. should i be putting something on it?

 

[LJoWilly]

That I have no clue, hopefully someone with feather
loss experience will chime in.
I would keep treating with vanilla extract until the gnats season is over.
Have you checked for mites or liceven? Possible head feather pecking from someone else???

 

[rdcowman]

That I have no clue, hopefully someone with feather
loss experience will chime in.
I would keep treating with vanilla extract until the gnats season is over.
Have you checked for mites or liceven? Possible head feather pecking from someone else???

no, but all i see is gnats! I have checked all the black Australops butts to see if the gnats were there, but there was none!
Sounds good! Thanks so much for your help! i'll keep you updated of how it's going!

 

[LJoWilly]

Please do.. buffalo gnats are really terrible, but thankfully their seasons don't last long.