Safe ways to manage mosquitoes/bugs in your backyard??

[Gone Quackers]

We have not sprayed our yard for mosquitoes or dandelion's in over 5 years now because the worry of getting the chickens sick... but this year is horrible with bugs!!

This site is so handy so I might as well ask if any BYCer have any good home remedys or know any products that are safe for your flock?

Thanks!!

 

[n8ivetxn]

Let the chickens do it! Is it that bad?

 

[Gone Quackers]

Well we usually just have the chickens/ducks eat them up themselves and they love them... But this year is just horrible. You can barely be outside now

 

[n8ivetxn]

Wow, I'm no expert in bug control...maybe someone will chime in here. Or, maybe you could contact your county extension agent or state university animal sciences department? Surely someone at those places could recommend a safe bug control alternative....

 

[Mickiesmadhouse]

I just happened to be reading another thread on Diatomaceos Earth for pest control. I'll look for it again and post the link. We sure have some smart cookies on this forum!

 

[Mickiesmadhouse]

This is the info I read- seems like a win win for the bug situation.
http://www.richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp
And here is the link for the BYC thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/15864/how-much-diatomaceous-earth-per-50-lbs-of-feed

 

[n8ivetxn]

I really enjoy this website, it's been a real lifesaver!

When I bought my first group, it was perfunctory, really. I didn't expect I would enjoy them so much - and then finding BYC, this is my "Facebook!"

DE is good pest control, don't know why I didn't think of it

I use it in the garden and greenhouse....

 

[mstricer]

Hang a bat house for mosquitoes and a purple martan house for the rest.

 

[dretd]

We have not sprayed our yard for mosquitoes or dandelion's in over 5 years now because the worry of getting the chickens sick... but this year is horrible with bugs!!

This site is so handy so I might as well ask if any BYCer have any good home remedys or know any products that are safe for your flock?

Thanks!!

Hi Gone Quackers. I am confused and would like clarifications prior to giving advice (if I can give any) You start out saying you haven't sprayed for mosquitoes or dandelions but then say you are over-run with bugs and want to get rid of them safely. Are you talking mosquito=bug? What types of bugs are you looking at wanting to eliminated? My answers are specific to the bugs you are wanting to eliminated and where they are found on your property. Thanks.

 

[duckinnut]

DE is not going to help with mosquito's. For that I recommend a Mosquito Magnet, it won't kill every last one right away but within a months time you will notice a big reduction in them. After a couple breeding cycles they are almost non existent. I got one and never shut it down, every 21 change the tank and attractant without shutting it down. It's expensive to run but to risk EEE or any other insect borne illness is more than worth it. Dandelions I would release the girls on to them, mine love and also gives you those nice bright yellow orange yolks. Yummmmm.....