Help - I have chiggers around my pen and I can't get rid of them!

[christiev]

Hi - I'm new and love this site! So glad to be a new member.

I have an issue I can't seem to resolve. I spread some old pine straw around the outside of my coop to keep it clean and inadvertantly introduced chiggers that were in the bales. I went down to the coop the next day and ended up with over 60 bites. I've raked up and burned the straw and cleaned out the coop. I put down Seven powder inside and out and then came back a week later and sprayed the outside. I also made up dust baths with dirt, ashes and Seven for them to bath in. I put down a lot of cedar shavings and dusted the birds. I don't know if they're itching anymore, but I have to lather myself in mosquito spray and I"m still being bit. Does anyone have a better idea?

 

[RyeRanch]

I have heard that citronella will also repel them. I would guess that citronella oil would be compatable (edit) with chickens.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Post in the Predators/Pests section for more tips and good luck!

 

[greymane]

You might want to look into getting some Guinea fowl or Muskovy ducks. They are both excellent pest control experts.

 

[liz9910]

from California! Hope someone has some suggestions, good luck.

Elizabeth

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[christiev]

Thank you!

 

[Trefoil]

You might want to look into getting some Guinea fowl or Muskovy ducks. They are both excellent pest control experts.

That was my first thought as well. They also are very good with ticks & skeeters.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. I hope you can rid yourself of those nasty bugs.

 

[christiev]

Thank you, but chiggers can't be seen with the naked eye. I'll keep trying though!