Hornets lurking around the coop

[SamIamNam786]

Guys I'm trying to add the 6/7 week chicks outside, and I keep seeing Hornets lurking and even checking out the wood of the coop. They haven't made a nest yet...do I add peppermint oil to the inside before adding the chicks?

 

[Debbie292d]

Guys I'm trying to add the 6/7 week chicks outside, and I keep seeing Hornets lurking and even checking out the wood of the coop. They haven't made a nest yet...do I add peppermint oil to the inside before adding the chicks?

We have a huge wasp problem here because neighbor farmers released them years ago to fight parasites on their crops. This kind is pretty docile, but they moved in by us, I guess. Luckily, they keep to our deck, house, and garage, not our coop. I put many drops of peppermint essential oil in a quart of water and spray under the eves of our house, garage, and everywhere they keep trying to build. Even by the dog dish on the deck! It works, but it just moves them somewhere else, so we just have to keep an eye out for them building again somewhere else. Eventually, it dies down a little, but every spring, we start all over again!

I presume the same regiment would work for your hornets. Good luck!

 

[chicken1234]

I spray the outside of our coop eaves and I have had to remove the window awning because they keep nesting under it. I could hear them in the space between the ceiling and the roof clicking away when I bang on the ceiling so I sprayed hornet/wasp killer at the entrance (early morning when they are asleep lol) so they had to walk through it to get out and no noise anymore. I'm getting thin strips of wood to block the hole today but it only takes a small crack and they find it. My coop is dark brown I am wondering if maybe I change the colour they would be less attracted to it?? I also cut the shrubs away from the side of the building too.

 

[Penpal]

Get a little paint brush and spread petroleum jelly (vasoline) wherever they keep trying to nest. They hate the goopy stuff on their feet and won't cross it.