Gnats killing birds

[Melodychick]

Still have a few here, but not too bad. The horse and deer flies are worse! You’ve had a lot more rain over there though, maybe that’s the difference.

 

[FlockQueen]

Its been 6 wks since i started this thread and although the numbers have gone up and down, the bugs are still here. Still no more feathered losses though. Talked to the vets at the LSU office for the third time today. Theres not much they can tell me. They were surprised the bugs are still here in swarms but theyre really bad right after every rain before i spray. Sprayed for the 11th time today. That seems to keep them at bay until its washed off which is constant down here. As long as it doesnt rain semms to last about 2 wks. The vet i spoke to today offered for me to send in a bug sample but said the other vet is Sure thats what they saw, buffalo gnats. Also said this is unusual, i asked if they could be surviving the heat in the cooler areas w the bayous each to the north and south of us. Maybe. The neighbors have sure been glad for my work. The hen i treated for the gnats after her "sister" died is full of spunk and teaching the 2 month old cochin chicks how shes head hauncho. The second time i talked to vet (diff one) they said they donno much about the bugs themselves But they do know its a minor miracle that hen survived. The first time i only talked to a student But i count it because she advised me to use vinager water to battle the gnats. Tried that failed miserably.

@FlockQueen

I'm having the same issue. Is been raining almost a week. I'm surrounded by cypress swamp including an acre of it on my land. I sprayed when i lost my ayem cemani hen and i need to spray again but it's been raining all day today. I had to bring a rooster in this morning and have been giving him nutridrench and scrambled eggs. Not sure how he's going to do yet. The necropsy result came back from my ayem cemani and it was definitely gnats. Before the rooster i didn't have any more problems since i sprayed and put the new fan up until all this rain. I think you're right, they are surviving in the swamps where it's cooler. Thanks for the tag!

 

[FlockQueen]

Too Funny! I'll ask him again, my uncle offered me ducks hatching eggs...

He says ducks arent gonna phase our population ill keep on

I've got 12 ducks and they aren't able to keepup with all these gnats

 

[mixedUPturk]

I'm having the same issue. Is been raining almost a week. I'm surrounded by cypress swamp including an acre of it on my land. I sprayed when i lost my ayem cemani hen and i need to spray again but it's been raining all day today. I had to bring a rooster in this morning and have been giving him nutridrench and scrambled eggs. Not sure how he's going to do yet. The necropsy result came back from my ayem cemani and it was definitely gnats. Before the rooster i didn't have any more problems since i sprayed and put the new fan up until all this rain. I think you're right, they are surviving in the swamps where it's cooler. Thanks for the tag!

Your welcome and im glad to get the update im sorry i couldnt keep up w the other thread, i have two movers i follow and the first time i get behind i have 200 posts to read ill have my fingers crossed for your latest victim and i really hope youll get it under control soon. Im on the verge of buying vanilla air fresheners to string up everywhere. Im so sick of constantly fighting them.

 

[mixedUPturk]

Still have a few here, but not too bad. The horse and deer flies are worse! You’ve had a lot more rain over there though, maybe that’s the difference.

Im glad they gnats have let up for you! Yes i agree the rainfall everywhere and the flooding coming down the rivers plus the cooler areas w lots of tree cover... what do you do about the horse flies?

 

[FlockQueen]

Your welcome and im glad to get the update im sorry i couldnt keep up w the other thread, i have two movers i follow and the first time i get behind i have 200 posts to read ill have my fingers crossed for your latest victim and i really hope youll get it under control soon. Im on the verge of buying vanilla air fresheners to string up everywhere. Im so sick of constantly fighting them.

I know me too! 60 chickens 12 ducks 8 dogs and now guineasequals no time for anything else. I've heard vanilla extract too? I think I'm going to try that also and some air fresheners on top of the other measures and see if it helps. Hope they die off soon for both our sakes!

 

[mixedUPturk]

I know me too! 60 chickens 12 ducks 8 dogs and now guineasequals no time for anything else. I've heard vanilla extract too? I think I'm going to try that also and some air fresheners on top of the other measures and see if it helps. Hope they die off soon for both our sakes!

I tried vanilla extract and it only worked for a few hours. i think scent wise the air fresheners would put off more and last longer. I dont know ima try it tho.

 

[Melodychick]

what do you do about the horse flies?

They aren’t bad up by the house and they don’t seem to bother the chickens or ducks. As for the poor horses, I spray them with fly spray, but that only helps for a short time, so I keep them in the barn with fans on during the day.

 

[Matilda Belle]

I'm in southeast Minnesota and the gnats are horrendous this year. I've never seen anything like it. Plague like. I spray with pyrethrin and vanilla/lemon regularly. I hope I don't lose any.

 

[FlockQueen]

I tried vanilla extract and it only worked for a few hours. i think scent wise the air fresheners would put off more and last longer. I dont know ima try it tho.

Okay..good to know. I think i will too!