[Helenaj]

Hi, has anyone heard of using lavender as a fly repellent? in this hot weather even though I keep the coop as clean as I can it always seems to have flies in it when I go in. I've tried putting Stalosan F down and I use poultry shield when I clean it out (regularly) but still seem to have them in the coop. I don't leave any poop to build up - especially in this weather.
Now someone told me that Lavender is used to keep insects away and I wonder if putting some next to the coop doorway will keep them out?

Anybody tried this?

[Sassy]

You could try elder leaves as well.

[Helenaj]

You could try elder leaves as well.

Really? I have an elder tree on my land. I shall get to work this evening!

Thanks Sassy!

[BabbyAnn]

I have great big clumps of lavender growing near my back door ... doesn't stop the flies from zooming right past them and straight into the house when the door is left open   

With forecast of rain last week, I tied up my drying garlic bulbs with string and hung them under the roof of the chicken run (out of reach of inquisitive beaks) ... oddly enough, the fly population buzzing round seems a lot less

[Helenaj]

I have great big clumps of lavender growing near my back door ... doesn't stop the flies from zooming right past them and straight into the house when the door is left open   

With forecast of rain last week, I tied up my drying garlic bulbs with string and hung them under the roof of the chicken run (out of reach of inquisitive beaks) ... oddly enough, the fly population buzzing round seems a lot less

Now that I know that lavender doesn't work I shall bear the garlic in mind if the elder leave prove to be ineffective.

Thanks all!

[BabbyAnn]

Now that I know that lavender doesn't work I shall bear the garlic in mind if the elder leave prove to be ineffective.

lavender smells nicer and looks prettier LOL

Alternatively, you could draw flies away with something else far away from the coops.  Also consider fly traps and sticky cards to catch any that are persistent

[grinling]

check that the elder is safe with the chickens as the leaves are toxic

[Beekissed]

I haven't had a fly in the coop or in our yard on chicken poop for the past 4 yrs now due to using fermented feed and a composting deep litter system in the coop.  Blessedly without smell or flies in there and you wouldn't know we have chickens at all if you didn't actually see them or their poop now and again.  No smells means it attracts no flies. 

If not wanting to go that far, vanilla scented "trees", the car air fresheners will work for awhile until the scent wears off.  Others have tried using vanilla scent in other forms but not with the success of the vanilla trees. 

[nerdle]

Spiders webs are good!

[compostqueen]

The Aubiose bedding (for horse stables) has lavender and citronella in it I think. It's smells fab    I used it for my chooks.

The horse beddings are super absorbent, Easibed is cheaper than Aubiose but it's not as fragrant