What can be done about mosquitos in the coop????!!!!

[cmclean]

Is there a product I can apply in my coop and in the nesting box area to get rid of the mosquitos

??? They are horrible right now and will only get worse here in the Houston, TX area!! Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[dkosh]

I use permethrin spray for mite and mosquito control. If you don't want to use that I've heard that garlic spray is also effective.

 

[bnjrob]

Where are they coming from? If they are that bad, there must be a source of standing water nearby that is breeding them. Otherwise they should be dispersing somewhat or the chickens are hanging out a lot in the coop and the skeeters are staying in their for a full buffet. I'd look around for sources of standing water first since they will die out if they aren't continually being replenished.

If you start spraying insecticides around, you're risking getting it on the chickens, in the feed etc. Have you considered getting a mosquito zapper and setting it AWAY from the area to draw them away from the coop to their death? Is the coop screened?

I would go with more natural things like spraying orange oil solution or citronella in the coop while the chickens were locked out of it and then letting it air out and dry before letting them back in. Or perhaps hanging citronella repellant devices inside the coop.

The biggest thing is prevention and finding the stagnant water source where they are laying mosquito eggs. Using mosquito dunks when you can't empty out the water source (such as a pond, rainwater collection barrels, etc) is very helpful.

ETA: permethrins are great insecticides but they are neurotoxic and tiny amounts will kill cats and dogs are also susceptible to poisoning when coming into contact with permethrin if the dose is too high.

 

[cmclean]

Safe for use around our girls??

 

[seminolewind]

Look for a "premise" spray. You spray all the walls to keep the flies away. At my horse barn the owner hangs up baggies with water in them. Seems to work esp in the chatting area! I also use fly traps all summer long. They sure do fill up fast!

 

[helomech]

They aren't cheap, but the misquito magnets work great. When I lived in south Louisiana they where so bad you could not go outside at night, after running it for a couple months the problem was gone. No pesticides at all.

This is the one I had.

http://www.mosquitomagnet.com/store/mosquito-magnet-traps/b4100weboct

 

[cmclean]

Thanks for all the advice everyone!!

 

[gapeach717]

Where can I buy orange oil?