The Poultry Keeper

thingybobby · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:15 pm Post subject: Red Spider Mite Deterrent?

I'm pretty sure that I read recently of some plant that can hung in the hen's house that deters mites as a natural solution to the problem.

Have I dreamt it or does anyone know of it?

Bhindi · Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 10:58 pm Post subject:

Im not aware of anything.. other than the fact their not keen on cedar wood.. just like moths dont like cedar balls in wardrobes.... so on that basis maybe as Thuja plicata is cedar wood, maybe its this plant.. I hadnt made the connection till your post, and as a typed...

I have 7 Thuja here but fortunately I also dont have red mite(not so's I know anyhow!)

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

I think it's tobacco stems you're thinking of!

Debs

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Do the tobacco stems smell of tobacco (to us I mean not the spider mite)? Where would you get them from? Or are we talking the nicotiana flower here?

thingybobby · Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject:

Don't want to get them hooked on the wicked weed Debs.

Thinking more about it, perhaps it was Fennel, especially since I've just realised I've planted some in the allotment for some reason (Senior Moment????).

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Sorry I wish I could tell you more - but this is what it says in the book.

Common Fowl Louse

" some breeders put tobacco stems in the nest boxes, as lice detest the smell of this "

It doesn't say what the chickens make of it!!! Wink

Debs
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