Posted on 11/10/2011 9:40:38 AM PST by BuckeyeTexan
“Chickens or Guinea Fowl.”
I second that. Had property where ticks were a huge problem. The birds got rid of them in short order. Downside is that they will need a safe place to roost if you have coyotes, racoons, etc.
It’s a great product. We had a silverfish problem — they like books — and D.E. took care of them. And I sprinkled it around an area of our yard where Hubby and kitty had acquired ticks. So far, no more uninvited parasites.
Where home is. We kept them inside until they got their outside feathers - about one month. Then you put them outside in a large cage, so they know the smell of your property, and the sounds surrounding your house, and the sound of you coming home - another month. You feed them every day - food from a feed store - I forget what it’s called. Then you can let them loose. You still need to feed them every day so they know to come home. They roam your property and eat ticks all day long. Now, some if these birds are just plain dumb. We lost a lot. Now we don’t have any, and no dogs either. I’m not sure about hounds, we had a retired racing greyhound, and a miniature pinscher. They did not bother the birds, and the birds were not afraid of the dogs. I hope that helps.
I had 3 guinea hens when I had the farm, got them as day olds and kept under a light until they were full feathered out. then they went in the chicken coop with the chickens. If you get them young, they will stay on your farm, if you get them as adults, I don’t know if they would stick around. Sometimes they’d roost in the coop, other times they’d roost in the trees. Nice feathers and my husband always said they look like tanks..all body, skinny neck and small head..liked them....
Effing brilliant product! I've heard that another of my favorite secrets, "snail bait," is the same stuff, only of larger texture.
It scared the crap out of people who didn't know it was coming, LOL
Free range chickens get a lot smarter than the ones Col. Sanders raises.
“Safe and non-toxic”
Safety considerations:
The absorbent qualities of diatomite can result in a significant drying of the hands if handled without gloves. The flux-calcined form contains a highly crystalline form of silica, resulting in sharp edges. The sharpness of this version of the material makes it dangerous to breathe and a dust mask is recommended when working with it.
The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Natural or dried diatomite generally contains very low percentages of crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent (soda ash), causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form.
The crystalline silica content of the dust’s particulate is regulated in the United States by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and there are guidelines for the maximum amounts allowable in the product and in the air near the breathing zone of workers.[19]
Holy cow. That’s a lot of work. (Yes, I want to get rid of the ticks.) The only thing separating the house from the ticks is a 6 foot wide wooden deck and stone path along the length of the back of the house. Will Permethrin poison the water supply or kill the flowers & plants? With so many trees, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the leaves. If I stay on top of those, will that help some? We’ll have several hard freezes here in Fort Worth.
Beer is great to get rid of snails also...put a lid from a jar or a saucer in the garden, they crawl in and cannot get out an drown. They love beer. The saucer should be put in the dirt up to the edge so its almost level with the dirt. Keep husband out of the garden...:O)
Bulk rates are listed here: http://www.dirtworks.net/Diatomaceous-Earth.html
You might contact Dirtworks directly about how to treat your acre of woods. I’d be inclined to powder the brushy areas closest to your home and where Sophie tends to wander, expanding the radius over time, as you’re able. Could be an ongoing endeavor as the stuff must wash away or disappear in time but the application is easy and the Killer Earth is pretty cheap.
Thanks, y’all for all of the tips. I really appreciate it.
Tex
Leaves, brush, pine needles are great places for ticks to hide. They also provide a natural “blanket” to protect the ticks and their eggs in the winter time.
Yes, it is a lot of work, sorry - do it right or keep having ticks. I know of no other way that has been sucessful. Perhaps a local exterminator can offer advice.
I do not believe the Permthrin will poison the water supply but you would have to read the label. I have not experienced any killing of plants with Permthrin. I use this same procedure in Florida and in Colorado. Works in both places.
This procedure was developed to deal with sever infestation, like abandoned houses and barns. Nasty work but it does work. In locations that are not quite as bad, it has often totally removed the infestation.
That’s a good excuse for me to go outside, drink a beer, and smoke a cigar. :) “Honey! I gotta go get rid of the snails. Be in later.”
... “What snails?!”
We have had good luck using just the lawn insecticide granules here in central Wisconsin. One treatment in the spring is all we do. Down in Texas, you’d prolly need to do one in the early spring & again in mid-summer. We have an acre sized wooded lot that butts up to woods on two sides. Dogs are in a fenced area with lawn and some woods.
I’ve had only so-so luck with diatomaceous earth (using it on ant hills). (Boric acid/ simple syrup ant bait traps work much better.) DE loses effectiveness when it’s wet so it’s not the best here.
:O)
I once asked the guy that has a nursey how to keep deer out of my garden, he said the best way is a 20 gage. My daugter has a home in the woods and they found a spray that keeps the deer from eating their extensive landscaping, but don’t remember the name. If anyone cares, freepmail me and I will get the name...they dont have any fencing and have a beautiful place. They don’t get all their flowers and shrubs eaten anymore..
Kills scorpions too yay! Thanks.
We have deer fence around our garden and it works! Best spray I have EVER used to keep deer away from plants, fruit/nut trees is *Liquid Fence* (get the concentrate and mix your own for a MUCH more economical price). This spray WORKS!
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