Natural pest control?

[rubysmom]

Iam looking for ideas about naturally controlling/preventing lice, mites, flies etc...
I read all the posts about the food grade DE but I am just not sure.
I have kids in my coop, stirring up dust and holding chickens and brathing in that silica makes me nervous

On the other hand, so does getting lice

Are there other options?
WE have a suburban coop so we do need to try and keep as sanitary as possible.
Any good ideas for fly control?

Thanks a bunch

Claudia

 

[gumpsgirl]

Dusting with the DE and adding some to their food is the best "natural" way I can think of to take care of everything you've listed. Just dusting with the DE and adding a little to their nesting boxes shouldn't stir up to much for them to breath in. Dawn419 uses it all of the time for everything and I've never heard her mention any negative side effects from it. You can also add a little to their food to take care of the flies. The fly larvae can't hatch with the DE in the chicken feces, thus taking care of the bulk of your fly problem!

 

[spatcher]

Check out www.shadowridgedonkeys.com/perma_food_grade.htm (this is not my site but great info here) for all the info you need. I sell it as well, if you are interested PM me!

 

[panner123]

I use DE all the time in the coops and nest boxes. The dust was a concern for two of my grandkids have asthma. This fear was put to rest one day when I couldn't find the kids and they didn't come when I called them. Looking all over until the dog started circling one coop. Thinking something was wrong, I got over there as fast as I could. When I opened the door, there were four kids sleeping on the floor with chickens and chicks all around them. No ill affects at all.

 

[kstaven]

Spray down your nest boxes, perches, and all corners of the coop with diluted citrus oil. It will drive the pests away and kill any eggs they have laid in cracks and crevices in the coop. Many finch and canary breeders use it for this purpose.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Please if you don't mind what's the proper mix for the diluted citrus oil? I would like to try this. Thank you

 

[Jennym]

I purchased Orange Guard from this site

http://www.orangeguard.com/

Smells good too!

 

[rubysmom]

Thanks so much!!!

I love the citrus oil idea. Are you talking about an essential oil that you would get at the health food store? Do you just dilute it with water in a spray bottle? How often would yuo spray?

 

[kstaven]

I use TKO orange which is a concentrate and much cheaper than orange guard. It is made from orange peels. 1 tsp in a quart of water. Shake well and give everything a light spray. Many pet supply places and ag stores sell TKO concentrate.