Controlling bugs in coop.

[5Chickens]

I have just a rubbermaid type storage shed outside and I have always noticed how dirty it gets with all the cobwebs and creepy crawlies. Black Widows really love to make their home in it along with other venomous spiders. I am wanting to build a shed type coop but if it collects bugs like my storage shed does, how do you keep away the bugs without harming your chickens? Does a wood shed attract less bugs?

thanks

 

[4acresNachick]

I am new to raising chickens so if someone with more experience chimes in great but I have found that my chickens do a lot of the bug control in my coop. I have seen one of my RIRs jump up about four feet and snatch a fly right out of the air and happily eat it. I don't know about venomous spiders as we don't have any in this area. I would love to hear what others think on this subject.

 

[Ilovemyladies!]

I use Natural Guard Crawling Insect Control. It contains Diatomaceous Earth (85%). You just spread it around your coop (inside and out). It comes in a green and blue bag and it looks like kitchen flour. You can buy it at a hardware store. It kills cockroaches, bedbugs, fleas, slugs, millipedes, and other crawling insects. Even though my chickens are my main form of pest control, Natural Guard works great! Hope this helps!

-Shannon

 

[melissahj]

I also use food grade diatomaceous earth .

Not only do I spread it around the coop to control flies and other pests but I also spread the diatomaceous earth where my chickens dust themselves because the DE will kill parasites like fleas, ticks and mites as well. I also put it in their feed for internal parasites.

I use Red Lake Earth .

 

[Ilovemyladies!]

I also put it in their dirt.