Will Eco-Mosquito Misting Systems Harm the Birds?

[Fruitkate]

My husband and I have ordered our first batch of chicks to arrive late March and we are designing the coop for our backyard. We live in Charleston, SC where gnats, no-see-ums, and mosquitoes are rampant in the spring/summer/fall. Because we spend so much time outside, we would like to put in a mosquito misting system that contains cedar oil, orange oil and pyrethrum (which comes from chrysanthemums). The mist would not spray right onto the coop. The coop would be a few feet away but I am still wondering if this can harm the birds in any way. The guy putting in the system says no (of course) but we want to be sure before we go through the expense.

I am sure people will tell me to move the coop further away from the misting system but the problem is that shade is also a commodity in these parts. In the summer temps get up to 100 plus degrees with 100% humidity. I want to keep the coop in a shadier place in the yard - problem is, mosquitoes also prefer shade.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated as this is our first time doing all this.

One last thing, pressure treated wood? Okay or not? I looked on the forum but don't see a definitive yes or no on this issue. Again, our weather here can make wood rot quickly. Building outside with non-treated wood is rather pointless.

Thank you!
Kate

 

[ranchhand]

Hi Kate,

from just a bit south of you, in Hollywood, SC.

I'd be a bit leery of it. No proof whatsoever, but chickens have pretty sensitive respiratory systems. That stuff would probably be hard on people too, if it concentrates in one area. Someone on BYC discovered last year that the vanilla scented, tree shaped, car air fresheners worked to repel flies. Wonder it that would work on the 9 bazillion bugs here?

And oh yes, what IS this early spring stuff???? Ticks are going to be murder this year, out here in the woods!

 

[Judy]

Pressure treated wood is fine. Lots use it. Remember, they had to make it safe for kids in playgrounds?

 

[elmo]

How does the misting system work? Is it only "on" periodically? If so, what I would do is move my chickens completely away from the area that that has the mist in the air. You could maybe use a day tractor? The other thing I'd do is tarp the coop and run while the mist is operating, so there would be no residue falling onto the area where you chickens live. I would actually be more concerned about the chickens inhaling the mist than coming into contact with residue on surfaces.

Some chickens eat mosquitoes...but mine have never shown much interest in them, unfortunately. We ended up building a screened in breezeway that we love...I'm sitting out there right now, as a matter of fact. Gotta love Texas weather in February (sometimes).

As others have noted, pressure treated wood is fine to use in building the part of your coop/run that is in ground contact. You do have to be careful to clean up the sawdust from cutting this wood because chickens will peck at and eat dust. I would not use pressure treated wood to make a roost, either.

 

[blefky]

Any possibility of constructing a wind break between the coop/run, and the mister?

 

[patandchickens]

I don't know (I doubt anyone knows for sure in the sense of having actual data) but I would not do it myself as those things are not good to breathe chronically. (I would not want ME breathing them chronically either, frankly, but it's your choice of course) OTOH you can try it and see what happens, it may be ok or at least "more or less ok", who knows.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat