cam1 Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hi all the citronella oil that i have been reading about that you mix with water and spray around the run, is it the oil lamp outdoor stuff have just managed to get some of this but don't want to poison the chickens as it has gone warmer today we are inundated with flies new there would be a few but didnt realise this many! thanks cam amber lee velma bovan goldline mya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hi Cam1 - flies are just gross aren't they? Anyway, I read a post a while back where someone suggested tying a rag to the run which has had citronella essential oil and also some lavender oil dripped on to it. I think that's a great idea and would smell divine. Haven't tried it myself as mine free range but it might be worth a shot !! Good luck !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I use the rag in the run, nailed up on the roof of my walk in run. Once a week I dot the run with citronella oil and eucalyptus oil, smells great and I dont have any flies out there. I also have a spray made up, mainly water with a couple of drops of the same oil again, I always ensure I spray it high up in the run and when the chickens are out free ranging and not near their food. Just a couple of squirts to "freshen up". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hi all the citronella oil that i have been reading about that you mix with water and spray around the run, is it the oil lamp outdoor stuff have just managed to get some of this but don't want to poison the chickens as it has gone warmer today we are inundated with flies new there would be a few but didnt realise this many! thanks cam amber lee velma bovan goldline mya no, it's not the same stuff, you need the essential oil in the little brown bottle, i got mine off ebay. It's the stuff aromatherapists use, definitely NOT lamp oil. I put about 20-30 drops in a mister bottle, top with water, shake and spray all over the wooden bits of the run and coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I wasn't sure about the citronella that could be burned in the lamps, but I was able to find citronella aroma therapy oil (in bulk) also tea tree oil. I mix this in a 1gallon sprayer the mix I use is 1/2 gallon water x 1/4 cup citronella x 2tsp tea tree. It works beautifully. I spray the area surronding the Eglu and run (along with my version of a fli-trap) NO FLIES! Our porch is usually swarming with mosquitos so I also spray the entire deck (made of wood) it soaks ito the wood and we can now sit out late into the evening without being bothered by the bites. Plus the benifit of our yard smelling citrus and clean. I don't think I would use the burning kind as it might be mixed with kerosine so it burns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hi all the citronella oil that i have been reading about that you mix with water and spray around the run, is it the oil lamp outdoor stuff have just managed to get some of this but don't want to poison the chickens as it has gone warmer today we are inundated with flies new there would be a few but didnt realise this many! thanks cam amber lee velma bovan goldline mya , you need the essential oil in the little brown bottle, yes, that's the stuff. I got mine online from an aromatherapy company. boots and I think Holland and Barrett sell it aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I use the citronella garden lamp oil with no problems at all.I soak a piece of cloth and tuck it between the sunshade & run so it all smells nice! I also give a squirt in the Eglus's poo tray so no flies go in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellarboy Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 (edited) Hi all the citronella oil that i have been reading about that you mix with water and spray around the run, is it the oil lamp outdoor stuff have just managed to get some of this but don't want to poison the chickens as it has gone warmer today we are inundated with flies new there would be a few but didnt realise this many! thanks cam amber lee velma bovan goldline mya I've got some Behaviour Spray (for cats & dogs) from Wilkinsons that has citronella in it and that seems to work well sprayed onto bedding, the coop & in the run. Edited September 8, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted September 8, 2010 Share Posted September 8, 2010 Ooh what great ideas, this forum is really fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...