Early spring, and I've already pulled several ticks off my dogs and cats. So far....none from me or my husband.
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
I tried guinea fowl. Hard keepers. Especially if you have neighbors.
Have you considered Diatomaceous Earth?
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
I live in the country where farm animal noises are not out of the ordinary. However, we did discuss this with our closest neighbor and they would welcome the tick feeders.
I have several acres but what I am most interested in treating is the [approximate one acre of] fenced in dog area and half acre of garden that I pretty much live in during spring and summer.
How do you apply DE for tick repellent?
Posted by Dawn in VA (Member # 9693) on :
There are some plugs, like those termite plugs, that you can have installed (or install yourself). I think it's permethrin-based, but don't quote me on that. I know I've definitely seen them advertised.
Posted by Faith6 (Member # 14072) on :
We have used a garlic spray.... don't know how well it works.
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
some things to consider 1. Dimacetious earth(sp)
2 Citrus orange products
3. Tempo bug spray,,,derived from geraniums,,labeled for INSIDE restaurants and food processing plants. user friendly NO smell. as a foundation premisis spray kills most all creepy crawly things around house so they dont come in (like spiders)
4 chickens and guineas and other fowl, like ducks(already mentioned)
5. of course there are more insecticide choices of harsher to envirn and less user friendly,,,permethin and ___(forgot that name)
a combo of several ways might be best.
and it is always helpful to Not let pets drag them into the yard or house. (As a hitchhiker.)
Posted by minerva (Member # 20410) on :
i just fenced in my tiny space so i could make a little garden, i want to plant something so bad! i have deer bigtime.
i googled it and there was really nothing out there. Dimacetious earth like just don suggusted seems to be the main thing. it will get rid of a lot of bad bugs with out it being toxic.
i think there is a lizard that eats ticks...maybe that would be good along with the guinea hens. add some nice critters.
i am going to try the Dimcetious earth. the only thing how do you know if its working? i am too scared to go drag a white flag around the ground like ive seen in photos.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
2 years ago I used some ant and arachnid killer after my dog and i were bit by ticks and fleas got it at agway any farm supply should carry it. Your for http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/img_p/BOP-622.pdf
Made by http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=BOP-623 It is in granul for thats safer stay away from garden with it and it kills fish so if you have a pond stay way back. has 25% Permethrin Must use caution with this stuff rubber gloves breathing mask I put it on right before it was going to rain that stopped ant and tick and flea problem within a week.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
Theres always this one but be careful real careful. Seven Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
This one would be good if you could get it in Granul form. ROTENONE PYRETHRIN SPRAY PT Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
Guinea Fowl will definitely make a difference in the tick population. I raised 3 but had to get rid of them. My neighbor has 10 that make daily morning visits.
If you are serious about raising them, pm me and i'll send you some links. There are a few rules of thumb that will make it easier to keep them.
I use Diatomaceous Earth in my chicken coop. It's a powder. I spread in in the coop, esp. in the corners, in the nesting areas and dust on the chickens themselves.
I would think you could spread it on the ground in whatever fashion works. I haven't used it outside yet myself, but that's our plan for this year. We have lots of ticks already too.
It is sharp and works by cutting insects (good and bad) and drying them up. So I would suspect you could tell if it's working just by a reduction in insects in general.
It's also very safe to dust your animals with - dog, cat.
I've also used lavender oil in water as a spray on my outdoor rabbits. All the bugs leave them alone then. For some reason, bugs (incl. ticks) don't like the wonderful scent of lavender.
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
You've all given me some choices to think about. Thanks so much.
Posted by ticked-offinNc (Member # 15420) on :
Heh 17hens,
I would appreciate it if you could tell me where to get Diatomaceous Earth. Farm store? Thanks!
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :