The onset of the rains is a welcome development for any farmer. However, the poultry farmer needs to be wary of the prevalence of mosquitos during this rainy season and the diseases that come along, especially fowl pox.

Fowl pox is a highly contagious viral infection in poultry that causes painful sores on a chicken’s skin. The virus is transmitted to chickens by biting insects, most notably mosquitos.

How to control Mosquitos:

In addition to the use of pesticides such as Cislin and Delta guard, keeping yards clear of tall grass or vegetation and stagnant water bodies also helps contain mosquitos. Where possible, using mosquito nets has also proved to work very well. Below is a simple home-made mosquito trap one can use to protect chickens from mosquitos.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1 gram of yeast
• x1 2L bottle

How to make:

• Cut the plastic bottle in half.
• Mix brown sugar with hot water and let it cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle.
• Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.
• Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired.
• Wrap the bottle with something black, leaving the top uncovered, and place it outside the chicken coop or on its corners.  Mosquitoes are also drawn to the colour black. Thats it!

Note: Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.

Do you have other cheap home-based methods of controlling mosquitos? Share your tip(s) in the comment box below.