Updated mosquitoe information???

[aldarita]

You are welcome! I am glad to be able to help

 

[1schaefermaqks]

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I have heard of the Vaseline before.

 

[Mini Meat]

The best thing I have found for mosquito control is what I call the bait and snack.

Most people take the time to make sure that there are no vessels around their property with water in which mosquito's can breed.
That is a good plan but you can not be sure that your neighbors do the same not to mention any wild sources you do not find. So I do the opposite I make sure that there are places for the mosquito, old troughs buckets etc. I just also make sure that they are chock full of mosquito fish. Mosquito fish thrive on neglect and do very well in the same nasty water that attract the pests, and will devour any larva in the vessel as well as a good majority of the mosquito's that come to check out the water.

My local vector control supplies the fish free of charge and they breed like rabbits. My friend dumped all the vessels a few years ago while house sitting (she thought she was doing right, although how she missed the little fish flopping around I still don't know) and we had a terrible problem for 2 years after. Now i am well restocked and expect to see the population of mosquitos drop.

 

[1schaefermaqks]

Wow, good information. I need to try to find some of these fish. I have read about them but never knew anyone that actually had some.
Many thanks. So nice to get new ideas.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Huh, are mosquitoes a problem? I haven't heard about it! I assumed they were safe, with their feathers and scaly legs. I've seen my chickens grab mosquitoes right from the air and eat them. We get a *lot* of mosquitoes here, there are plenty of water sources and they love our wooded area and I haven't had a problem with mosquitoes harming my chickens.

What's the mosquito post you are talking about? I'm really curious now!

Just ran across this thread.
I have quite a few mosquitoes as well. I haven't necessarily found the "best solution" but I do run fans to help circulate air in the coop and run. Won't keep them completely away from the chickens, but may help a bit.

As far as concerns of mosquitoes, if anyone is interested, there are 2 (probably more) illnesses transmitted to chickens by mosquitoes. The most common is Fowl Pox, the other is Equine Encephalitis.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/63/fowl-pox-pox-avian-pox/
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/55/equine-encephalitis-eee-wee-vee/

 

[1schaefermaqks]

Thanks for the information on the fans. I know there are diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and they are deadly. I try to prevent as much as possible since I just have a few and they are like pets. Always appreciate helpful information coming from people that know .

 

[aldarita]

Yes fans work too!! I have fans in the coops and runs to help my chickens cool off during the summer months. I notice that when it is very windy, there are not mosquitoes around

 

[jerry59]

With a mosquito problem there are certain minnows that can be purchased at a bait shop that eat mosquitos and would inturn feed larger game fish

 

[Mini Meat]

I forgot to mention that when the mosquito fish get over populated you can either divide them into additional containers or...

They make tasty chicken treats.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Yeah wouldnt worry about any bugs other then mites,lice, and i belive fleas may also potentially be a threat.