I need mosquito advice

[Keltara]

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I'm in Goodrich. Pretty far from GR.

 

[mdbokc]

I put the vanilla on a paper towel and stick it beneath the collar of my T shirt. A couple of drops on each arm. End of problem while working outside.

Agree that the posters picture is cute. I would also add that I would not let chickens be that close to my kid's eyes. One peck, only takes a second, and it could be all over. Eyes shine and shiny attracts the beak.

 

[Anianna]

For long-term skeeter protection, set up purple martin housing. Purple martins love eating skeeters in large quantities and they will run hawks off, too, which is added protection for your flock, not to mention they're nifty to watch. Here is a site that explains how to attract purple martins and keep them coming back season after season.

 

[ChooksChick]

We get swarms here that will pick you up and carry you off... pterodactyls. I put a cotton ball with vanilla on the top of each of the tall fenceposts and put them at various levels around the yard in unseen spots, like under the lip of the banty shanty roof, under the patio table top, etc. Makes a big difference, and it can't hurt you to put it on yourself and see if it doesn't work. Maybe it won't work on your bugs, but vanilla is from a type of orchid, and plants make very strong chemical components for various purposes. My guess is this works for some reason specific to narrowing pollination to one particular species and repelling other potential pollinators.

 

[Keltara]

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We do keep our grass cut low. We are situated in the middle of the woods however. We have several ponds nearby and also a swamp. All the rain we've recieved this spring is just prime breeding conditions for mosquitos and I need to take agressive action to keep them safe (especially at night). As far as the bats are concerned, we actually see them flying around our house all summer long.

 

[ChooksChick]

Ooh! Another one!

Get REPEL brand Lemon Eucalyptus spray. I found mine in the camping section at Target, not the normal summer section. Rather than spray this on the birds, I sprayed it on the coop, all around the screened porch, roosts, windows, etc. All the wood got a spritz. It dried all day while they ranged and appeared to work for much of the summer...then I discovered vanilla. It may actually work better, and both smell good.

 

[Anianna]

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We do keep our grass cut low. We are situated in the middle of the woods however. We have several ponds nearby and also a swamp. All the rain we've recieved this spring is just prime breeding conditions for mosquitos and I need to take agressive action to keep them safe (especially at night). As far as the bats are concerned, we actually see them flying around our house all summer long.

You're halfway there with the bats. Now add some purple martins for 24 hour protection.

 

[Keltara]

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Huh. It may be worth a try. How often do you need to change out the cotton balls?

 

[Keltara]

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Did you reapply this on each night?

 

[Moabite]

I kill mosquitoes professionally. I recommend screening in your chickens and/or Picaridin applied to their combs and waddles before sunset and on cool humid days. I use picaridin on myself and I swear it is as good as Deet, but doesn't stink and isn't greasy. Chickens are pretty resilient to most mosquito diseases, more so then us people. Barrier spraying your yard with permethrin is an option that can help a bunch, but follow the label very carefully. I would avoid barrier spraying if you can, as it affects bees, and mosquito eating insects as well, but if there is West Nile Virus in your area, then I'd do it. I wouldn't want my chickens eating leaves sprayed with it. West Nile doesn't hurt chickens BTW.