Too many mosquitoes

[twagoner]

I have too many mosquitoes in my backyard where my hens freerange. What are some methods to kill the mosquitoes, yet not harm my hens? Thanks for this awesome forum. Y’all are so wise!

 

[Darrinhuns]

What does your free range area look like. Is there a lot of standing water, is it wooded, etc?

 

[twagoner]

What does your free range area look like. Is there a lot of standing water, is it wooded, etc?

My backyard has many trees and bushes. I try my best to empty all objects where rain can collect after every rain storm.

 

[Darrinhuns]

My backyard has many trees and bushes. I try my best to empty all objects where rain can collect after every rain storm.

My recommendation would be to trim up some of the trees and bushes letting things air out more because that is where mosquitos go during the day. My only other recommendations would be insecticides or attract bats but that’s something I wouldn’t really want to do either. Not for any reason but It’s just very extra. You could also put out toad houses and things like that to attract mosquito eating wildlife

 

[MommyGirl]

What about an electric bug zapper?

 

[twagoner]

I might try this. Thx!

 

[CluckerFamily]

A note for next year. Mosquitoes are repelled by geraniums and lavender. You could plant some around your coop. My chickens don't eat or even nibble on the geraniums and if they eat the lavender... bonus! Plus if the chickens walk through these plants, they will get some of that scent on them to help repel those pests.

 

[twagoner]

A note for next year. Mosquitoes are repelled by geraniums and lavender. You could plant some around your coop. My chickens don't eat or even nibble on the geraniums and if they eat the lavender... bonus! Plus if the chickens walk through these plants, they will get some of that scent on them to help repel those pests.

I was aware of lavender being a mosquito repellent, but not geraniums. Thx!! I love Backyardchickens.com!!

 

[CluckerFamily]

I was aware of lavender being a mosquito repellent, but not geraniums. Thx!! I love Backyardchickens.com!!

Geraniums repel most humans too but I love them!

 

[50-45-1]

What about an electric bug zapper?

FYI- bug zappers work for bugs that are attracted to light, like many benificial bugs and moths.
Mosqitos are attracted to blood. That mens they zero in on warm bodies by body temp or breath condinsation.
I had a couple bug zappers years ago but threw them out when i only discovered non biting bugs in the tray.