Bugs

[katiebrock]

How do you all keep the bugs under control in your duck coops and runs? Flies, mosquitoes, ants, spiders, the works.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I expect the spiders, ducks and chickens to keep the less useful bugs under control for me.

 

[katiebrock]

I expect the spiders, ducks and chickens to keep the less useful bugs under control for me.

True. I think the main thing is flies right now, and I am worried about ants, because they are all around the coop, but haven’t made it in yet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keep food an water out of your coop will help some. Fly traps. Work. My ducks love fly catching.

 

[DuckMama9]

True. I think the main thing is flies right now, and I am worried about ants, because they are all around the coop, but haven’t made it in yet.

Ive noticed the ducks (or their poo, rather) have brought a lot more flies to my place. I’ve more or less made peace with them, but I suppose you could build some web-sites to encourage the spiders to build webs to catch some flies! Use some small pieces of wood or some sticks to make an octagon shape And hang them up or stake them in the ground near the places where you want to catch flies. For the ants, maybe build some lizard habitats. For that matter, the lizards will help with the flies too! Use logs or brick blocks along a fence or someplace where they can hide in the corners and nooks. Also lots of low bushy plants and shrubs!

 

[gtaus]

So far, I do not have a bug problem. I have an elevated coop (built on an old boat trailer frame) and no ants. I use a dry deep litter bedding with wood chips and the chicken poo gets turned into the litter, so I don't have any fly problem. No spiders yet, but the coop has only been up for 2 months. If/when I see spiders, I think I will just use a broom to sweep up the cobwebs. Our state bird is the mosquito and they are everywhere outside, but not so much in the coop. I suspect everyone's location plays a big part in bug control.

 

[gtaus]

Keep food an water out of your coop will help some.

I keep food and water in my coop 24/7. I don't have any bug problem. But I think your location makes a big difference.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That’s hilarious “our state bird is the mosquito” you must live in Florida.

 

[katiebrock]

Ive noticed the ducks (or their poo, rather) have brought a lot more flies to my place. I’ve more or less made peace with them, but I suppose you could build some web-sites to encourage the spiders to build webs to catch some flies! Use some small pieces of wood or some sticks to make an octagon shape And hang them up or stake them in the ground near the places where you want to catch flies. For the ants, maybe build some lizard habitats. For that matter, the lizards will help with the flies too! Use logs or brick blocks along a fence or someplace where they can hide in the corners and nooks. Also lots of low bushy plants and shrubs!

Great ideas! My cat will like having more lizards around too, I may have the whole circle of life happening in my yard, lol. Thank you!

 

[katiebrock]

I keep food and water in my coop 24/7. I don't have any bug problem. But I think your location makes a big difference.

I live in middle Georgia, and it is really hot and muggy here for several months at a time, it feels like a jungle, and I guess has bugs like the jungle too!