Welcome to my pond - Swim, wade, or sit on the bank

[Shadrach]

I was expecting the flies here to be endemic this year because of the mild winter. So far it's been one of the least fly ridden years I can remember.
Having donkeys doesn't help with the flies, they breed in the donkey middens.
It's the mosquitoes that drive me mad.
I just keep as much of myself covered as practicable.

 

[bobbi-j]

I spray the crap out of my ball cap and keep moving. They are horrendous here this year.

That they are. All over, it seems. I was outside today checking on the chickens and horses and couldn't be out there very long. The gnats were too thick.

You will find this odd... but Skin so soft... its a hand lotion made by Avon. But it repels gnats and flies as well. And it works a long time.

We use a home made fly repellent recipe for the horses.... First time I ever heard of it was when a friend used it on her Mule... I walked by her mule one time and he gave off this sweet smell.... and I noticed he wasnt stomping his feet or swatting his whispy club of a tail.

There are recipes all over the web... and you can buy skin so soft at the feed store now. LOL.

deb

When I rode in the drill team, we sprayed our horses with it before parades. No, not so they'd smell pretty for the people watching...

There are hatcheries in Europe; quite a few I believe that supply the large egg producing concerns.
The backyard chicken keeping movement hasn't really taken off in Europe. Legislation regarding the keeping of livestock and pets is quite strict now in Northern Europe and the UK.
In the region of Spain I live in chicken keeping has been going on since the Romans.
On the side of the mountain I live on there are 13 dwellings, 11 of those keep chickens.
There are breeders here but those relatively few people who want to keep a particular breed travel to a breeder and inspect for genetics and health. The idea of having lots of different breeds in a flock and a multi colored egg basket isn't a thing here.
Most keep the local breeds and the 'surplus' males are culled at around three months for meat. Needless to write most are kept free range because it's cheap and many still live in the yard semi feral. I get the piss taken out of me for having coops and providing three meals a day of commercial feed.

Interesting. I like learning about other places.

I just happened to think of that as you were posting, wondering if it would work. I used a 50/50 solution on my horses for flies for years, and you're right...it lasts quite a while.
My SIL is an AVON dealer.

Deb beat me to it. "There ya go!"

 

[Shadrach]

Interesting. I like learning about other places.

I'll try to remember to take my camera on a trip to the village and take some snaps.
The old parts can be really picturesque.

 

[room onthebroom]

It seems to be an American thing.

We speak differently to Americans.

I admit; they also help me gauge what is readable and entertaining enough for a US audience.

Hmmm.... These are some ridiculously broad generalizations. Especially considering you're referring to the worlds largest melting pot of four hundred million people.

 

[room onthebroom]

I'll try to remember to take my camera on a trip to the village and take some snaps.
The old parts can be really picturesque.

I would love to see pic's!

 

[room onthebroom]

As far as bug spray goes, DD1 is experimenting with essential oils trying to come up with something for mosquitos. I'm hoping she eventually gets it right, but wont hold my breath. I've heard great things about Skin So Soft for years, but haven't tried it.

 

[kwhites634]

As far as bug spray goes, DD1 is experimenting with essential oils trying to come up with something for mosquitos. I'm hoping she eventually gets it right, but wont hold my breath. I've heard great things about Skin So Soft for years, but haven't tried it.

SSS definitely works for flies & gnats, as I was so thankfully reminded earlier today...thanks again, Deb.

I'm told that dryer sheets tucked in the hatband are quite effective against mosquitos; haven't tried them. Something I have used, and continue to use, is the Thermocell. It's a battery operated gizmo that incorporates a pad containing a very effective repellent.

 

[Shadrach]

Hmmm.... These are some ridiculously broad generalizations. /QUOTE]
yup, you caught me.

 

[room onthebroom]

 

[kwhites634]

That the biggest net you can come up with?