What do you guys do to keep mosquitoes out of your run?

[UncleDougsChickens]

My run is on the edge of the forest so the mosquitoes come at all hours of the day. I kinda just deal with it but wondering what some of you guys do about it? I don't wanna buy some expensive propane powered mosquito attractor. Do you think hanging strips of cloth soaked with bug spray would keep them away? I guess the question is what kind of radius the bug spray would have.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Normally I run fans to help circulate air, but most of my run space(s) are covered with a roof. The coop also has a fan that helps keep air moving 24/7 during this time of year.

 

[Folly's place]

I also have a roofed run, and wear repellant myself if things get bad. The coop gets treated with permethrin for mites or lice as needed, and during daylight hours the birds feast on whatever flying insects appear.
We have a reasonable breeze out there and it helps too.

 

[BGcoop]

I Like a product called “mosquito beater”. It is a “natural” product with different oils and such on a corn based delivery system-safe for kids and pets. It doesn’t say anything about chickens on the package, but so far I haven’t noticed a problem with mine. We are also in the woods and have a heavy mosquito load, and while this product is not fool proof, I absolutely notice a difference between areas of the yard where I use it and those I don’t.

 

[Fishkeeper]

You could enclose the run in mosquito netting. That'll keep 'em out.

 

[jlwquilter]

I’ve been using a homemade concoction. I got the recipe off the internet and it seems to be working. Color me surprised and pleased. It’s a repellent.

1/3 beer
1/3 epson salt
1/3 mouthwash with alcohol.

All stuff I have on hand.

Mix and let stand for a few days - I had to learn that part. It takes a few days for the epson salt to dissolve. I use a spray bottle on mist and spray every wall and opening including the wire mesh fencing. I have a pretty good sized set up and 1 cup of each ingredient is enough to spray the whole area. I live in SE Florida and the mosquito is the state bird. Now I can be out with the flock into dusk and night time and not get eaten alive. Also it keeps them off the hens too. I do not spray the hens with it! I mean repelling the mosquitoes from the area helps the hens too.

I spray once a week or so or when the mosquitoes seems to be coming back. I bought a gallon sprayer recently
For the permethrin and I’m going to make a bigger batch next time and see how using it the pump Sprayer works. My hand starts to cramp up using the small bottle sprayer.

 

[aart]

I Do Nothing.

 

[Steven Bussell]

Set up a electric bug zapper. Free protein

 

[Fishkeeper]

Bug zappers don't work well, if at all, on mosquitos. Good for flies, though.

 

[centrarchid]

I do nothing that is effective, so far. Have been trying to protect some caged birds with an aromatic geranium (citronella). Wind is everything on how it works and may override what the plant does. Next year I make try protecting one bird by having his roost effectively surrounded by the plants.

I might also try putting the oil in multiple locations in by barn to stink up the place. The mosquitoes are bad enough to make the chickens stomp all night.