Gnats

[cherylj]

I am wanting to know what people are using on peacocks and in the pens to help control the gnat problems. I have tried a couple of things but no success. And my birds look bad .Can you give your feed back as to what you use on your chickens
Thanks in advance

 

[new 2 pfowl]

Do you know exactly what kind of insect you have? "Gnat" can refer to a few different types, I believe.

As I understand it, in general, this type of insect is attracted by fruit, or by standing moisture such as damp soil or damp bedding materials. So you might start by making sure these things are not available in your pens.

Someone else is likely to have actual experience with this, though!

 

[RuzichFamily]

We have in IL now what are called buffalo or vampire gnats. Good Lord they are nasty, biting little sons of guns. The best deterrent is vanilla scented spray, a product called Buggins or WD-40 seems to work as well. We never had them until about 8-10 years ago and they are THICK and miserable. Lots of people lose poultry and it is hurting our wild turkey, quail and bald eagles (I'm sure other birds as well but those are the most watched here). They swam the birds heads, get in the nasal passages and suffocate them, the young are very vulnerable. I've heard they were introduced to our area to combat the asian beetles. If thats true whoever thought of it needs horsewhipped. If not true, I don't know how they got here but they are invasive to our part of the country.

 

[cherylj]

with the wd-40 you spray on there neck and head area. or even the vanilla spray

 

[RuzichFamily]

with the wd-40 you spray on there neck and head area. or even the vanilla spray

I spray the WD in the coop, around the doors, windows etc and I've sprayed it on my birds a few times too when I was out of vanilla spray, I usually use the vanilla scented stuff on the birds tho.

 

[cherylj]

don't really know what kind of gnat it is. there flying around the face and neck area. i havent actually seen them up close,just noticed them flying around. I thought i would hang a plastic jug with apple cider vinegar with a little dishwash soap. thought maybe that would attract them. I got 1 fly. I've tried putting garlic in there food. thought maybe this would discourage them.
i bought some horse and stable spray. misting them and spraying on thing in the pen. Another person said seven dust. so i made them a dust bath area with sand, ash an seven dust mixture.
there pen is dry only water in there is for them to drink.no food laying around.Its a puzzle. the birds look bad.. there neck were feathers are to be are gone from them pecking/scratching

 

[RuzichFamily]

Now that you mention that, I did use horse spray last summer with very effective results. A fan can help if you have a way to set one up.