mosquito repellent for inside coop?

[LindsayB]

I was just wondering if there were any safe mosquito repellents to used around chickens. I was thinking about hanging one of the thermacell mosquito repellents inside coop and in the run. We have a BIG mosquito problem here right now.

 

[squeakyballs]

I've never heard of those, but they have good reviews on google! Give it a try and let me know if it works. I don't see how it could hurt the chickens, unless it caught something on fire.

I set out containers of water at night, and dump them out onto the hot ground the next day (and I make sure to change the chicken and bunny water bowls too). My reasoning is that it will encourage the mosquitoes to lay their eggs in a place where I can destroy them. There are still mosquitoes though.

 

[elmo]

Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems. Personally, I wouldn't risk something like this inside the coop. I think your safest option is to simply screen the vents.

 

[noodleroo]

I don't like commercial repellants for me or the animals. You might make some 'orange oil spray' and use that in and around the coop. You can make it by filling a mason jar with orange peel and pulp then filling it with water, sealing it and letting it sit for about a week. Strain the liquid and mix it about 1 part orange oil liquid to 10 parts water. Don't use 'orange essential oil'; its too strong. Mosquitos and lots of other bad bugs hate citrus.

 

[gryeyes]

I guess I'm sort of lucky - my chickens catch mosquitos! I say "sort of" because I welt up BAD from a single bite, and those little flying monsters really like me.

I also keep mosquito fish in my goldfish ponds, fountains AND in the duck pool. (They breed so well in the goldfish ponds I can replace the ones the ducks eat whilst swimming in their pool.)

I'm worried about using any kind of chemicals.

 

[Supermommy486]

In right there with ya (At least in state) and MAN... the things are BAD. My chickens I hope are catching some but there are still tons. Going to have to try the orange spray trick!!!