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Safe Insect Repellant

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Safe Insect Repellant

Fri 4-Jun-10
7:07 am

helena

3rd Grader

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Hello - me again!

Does anyone know of an insect repellant that is safe to use on chickens. The land where I keep my Girls and Boy is bordered by a river and on these warm evenings there are hundreds of midges. Now, my troops try and do their best to eat the whole fly population, but I can see that these tiny midges are driving them to distraction. Is human insect repellant safe to use? I thought I'd just put a dab on each of their heads, but am not sure if it's poisonous. If I can't use a human one, is there one specifically for poultry?

Thanks in anticipation!

Fri 4-Jun-10
2:34 pm

JoannaS

Latvia

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I was getting excited as we have a mosquito problem here in Latvia and so I thought someone may have found a good alternative to DEET, I hate the stuff.

Blog: thejourneytosomewhere.blogspot.com

Sun 15-Aug-10
11:26 pm

Budo1

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Sat 14-Aug-10

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Not sure it will help. I have rabbits and am ever fretful of fly strike - to the point of distraction. I have got myself into a routine which suits me with several measures...

After the usual washing down with ' jayes fluid' ... brilliant stuff. changing fly papers etc.

I find these measures work well for me.

I purchace citronella oil in 100 ml bottles from a company on the internet i make up a powerful wash from this with warm water and place it in a hand pump garden presure spray which i use liberally over surfaces, door ways, windows and walls. - natural and none toxic. i see no reason why a moistened cloth could not be used to wipe the animals down.

I also burn citronella incense modestly in and around the sheds.

I plant pots of mint- spear or pepperment and lavender.. all over which deter flies and mosquitos.

I have ordered from an on line company solar powered lanters with fly trap in them.. and egerly await their delivery to she how well the work.

Appart from stating the obvious... leave not still water uncovered were possible ( rain water barrels etc)

Tue 17-Aug-10
12:38 pm

helena

3rd Grader

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Thanks for that - I'll give it a go. i did ask the vet if I could use human insect repellant and he said no because it leaves a film that can damage the feathers and affects their water resistance.

I have fly papers inside the coop -it's a full size shed, so the papers are out of the way of the chooks and these catch loads. Unfortunately, the papers always seem to catch me as well on a daily basis when I go into the coop to poop pick. it ends up wrapped around my forehead no matter how careful I am - yuch!

It hasn't been so bad lately with the damp weather, but on every dry day it's murder for them. I do have other grass that I can move them toaway from any river and I may do that to give their current area time to recover for the winter and then I will bring them back. At least the fly problem won't be an issue during the colder months.

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