Question

What does everyone do to attack the ticks in the backyard? Found one on my lo on Sunday and now my mil had one as well.  

Answer 1

This is supposed to be a really bad year for ticks. Get some chickens  

Comments

@abiogenetic59993 I really want chickens but unfortunately my so and dog don't want them .  

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@abiogenetic59993 still can’t have chickens in des plaines  

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@mcclure Wasiłowski I thought they were allowed now?!  

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@abiogenetic59993 deleted my last comment. Last I heard they weren’t. Are they really?  

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@mcclure Wasiłowski I believe so.  

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Yes, 4 chickens are allowed now effective since March. The city website hasn’t been updated yet but our friend who works for the village confirmed it. Just no roosters

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I would never be able to convince my husband. but i think it would be fun to have a couple! However. Last week we found a dead duck in the middle of our yard. Something had killed it and dropped it. we have a fence, but every other slat is open. Id be so worried about chickens overnight

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@knotty yes I have seen coyotes at least 5 times by my backyard and other places in Des plaines

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@circumfluous53699 I know they are around, I just don’t know if one could fit through my fence. very weird

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@knotty the ones I have seen looked very sickly and small. I'm very careful when my dog is outside

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@abiogenetic59993 Maron Horvath any comments about keeping chickens safe from coyotes? This is the first I'm hearing of chickens keeping ticks at bay. Is this true? The last thing I need to be stressed about is ticks.  

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@circumfluous53699 I have them now. They are great. My dog has to deal.  

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@kovrov9 yup. They live to eat all kinds of bugs and insects. They eat mice and even small snakes. They are actually really good hunters.  

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@abiogenetic59993 Maron Horvath I know yours are indoors so far, but do you worry about coyotes?  

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@abiogenetic59993 Maron Horvath I just have to convince my husband to deal  

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@kovrov9 nope. We have a fence and the coop is also really secure. They won’t be out free ranging unsupervised. I’m more worried about Hawks actually.  

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@circumfluous53699 I can convince him. I convinced the whole city to allow it. . Besides you’ll have this.  

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My dog couldn't care less.  

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@abiogenetic59993 Maron Horvath can you share a photo of your chicken coop set up? We have been having this discussion at home but not sure if it is realistic with a toddler and dog and cost is another thing to consider for us, too.  

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@aves41 well we are going big so it may be too much for you. Designed it and are building ourselves. Still in progress.  

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Coop portion is 4x6 with enclosed run that is 8x6. So 12x6 total. Will be 8 feet high.  

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Really the construction is the biggest cost but there are tons of cheaper options. Or build smaller. The actual basic chicks and set up was cheap. It cost me under $30 for 4 chicks. And I picked a few fancy breeds. Ha.  

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@abiogenetic59993 Maron Horvath that is awesome! Are you putting a heater in the cold months, then? Where did you buy the chikcs?  

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@aves41 no heater needed unless it is like polar vortex weather. They do well in winter. They actually need a lot of ventilation.  

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Got them from Murray McMurray hatchery mostly because they had one special breed I wanted. Happy to help you pick breeds and find a good source. I’m really picky so I did tons of research.  

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Besides, kids love them.  

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@abiogenetic59993 Maron Horvath thanks for the info! I grew up with chickens in the Philippines and they just roamed freely around the yard except for when it’s too hot, then they’re in the coop (constructed by my dad from bamboos). Good to know they do well in winter.  

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@aves41 well some breeds are winter breeds and some are not. But tons of good options. When I was in Grand Cayman a few years ago I loved seeing all the wild ‘street chickens’ just wandering around.  

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I have 8 and they all do very well in the winter with no heater. They prefer cold to hot.  

Answer 2

Mosquito Hunters works on mosquitos and ticks.  

Comments

@extrorse yeah, I rarely last more than about 5 minutes before I give up and have to go inside and cover myself with calamine lotion. Next thing I'll have to figure out is how to keep the wasps away. But when the murder hornets get here it will be game over.  

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Can you share how much Mosquito Hunters service cost?  

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@aves41 it’s based on the size of your yard. They do individual treatments if you just wanted it for a party but we do the whole summer which got our size yard is about $500.  

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@extrorse thanks! it’s way over my budget I so decided to buy a $70 dynatrap for now. Hope the 5 star reviews will live up to its effectivity

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@aves41