TICKS!!!! TICKS EVERYWHERE!!!!

[fizzle7033]

And yes I meant to scream!!! We are absolutely infested with ticks!! We pick at least 3 a day off of each of us! I pick them off during the day, I pick them off me in the bed at night... they are driving us crazy!! We have frontlined the dogs and seven dusted the area but they are still all over the place. Is anyone else having this trouble?? What will get rid of them???? HELP!!!

[Deberosa]

It won't be a quick fix but if you can let a group of guinea hens free range - they love ticks! Mine circle around the property all day long eating bugs of all kinds.

I wonder why they seem to be so bad this year?

[dreams_in_color]

Sorry I replied under the other tick heading. We are having a tick infestation here in NC and I had also read that guineas would eat ticks and fleas.

Now I am trying to find the source of some.

[WRTN]

Hi Deb,

What kind of survival rates are you having with your guinnea's? We are trying some game chickens (more or less fighting chickens that do require a coop. The jury is still out on them because the hens had about 3 dozen chicks and then disappeared. Hopefully hiding rainsing the chicks like they did when sitting on the eggs.

Are you able to put up with their racket everytime something startles them? I hear they are great watch dogs but sometimes are too sensitive and alert on any and everything.

[Deberosa]

Guineas are great at hatching chicks but really bad at raising them. However, I have 7 now and that's plenty. Even brooding the chicks and turning them loose has not been very successful either. Only a couple survive out of dozens released!

This year I am going to let them do whatever and see how many they manage to raise. The whole place is fenced now so coyotes and other predators are not going to be a problem so it might be better.


They do make noise on occasion but it really doesn't bother me that much. I work from home and all day long they circle the house - stopping for a drink in the front yard pond. They really don't squawk too much when left to their own devices all day long. I think the peacocks make more noise this time of year!

[cubcadet]

Funny about insect infestations. We in Northern PA have no real prob with ticks. Our big thing is wasps and flies. There is a natural insect repellent that I use for flying insects from thesecretsofeden.com- 1888-820-2126. It is basically peppermint, catnip, lemongrass, in a base of palm kernel and shea butter. Works good for me.

[crepemyrtle44]

I'm in NC also and we have started having tick problems. The winter was too mild for a good insect kill and the deer are too numerous and spread them everywhere. Currently only have 3 guineas, but may order some. I would like to get a flock of at least 30, they will last about 3 years and then need to restock.