question

[holahead]

hello everybody how is everybody doing this evening. I was wondering if there is something I could put on my outside chicks to keep gnats and mites off of them? There are driving them crazy and I don't know what I could do to help them. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks and have a great day.

 

[valentinebaby]

Have you tried food grade DE? I got a 50 lb. bag at my local feed store for cheap and it works on most bugs and helps dry the poop in the run and coop.

 

[holahead]

I am sorry but could you tell me what DE is? Thanks

 

[R@ndy]

This link should help answer some of your questions

http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html

 

[valentinebaby]

Diatomaceous Earth (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth). You can search for its benefits on BYC for deep litter methods in the coop, but also for controlling fleas and I think mites - don't know about gnats since they fly... Some use it on their dogs for flea control, but you don't want them inhaling any of it - wrecks havoc with the lungs. It needs to be used carefully in your garden, cuz it can kill beneficial insects as well as bad ones. I think I paid around $20 bucks for my 50 lb. bag (much cheaper than buying a smaller bag) and it will last me a LONG time. Be sure you get FOOD GRADE - there is some sold for swimming pools, so be careful -- you don't want to use the non-food grade kind. Years ago, I had gnat type bugs in my kitchen plants and I sprayed a yellow plastic cup with STP (yep the car stuff) and it attracts the flying critters and they stick to it. Again - wouldn't let your chicks around the cup, however!

 

[holahead]

Thanks alot.