Fleas, Ticks, in-laws and other parasites...

[Batt]

I hope this will be the right forum. This upcoming season will be the first for me to take the goats and LGD's thru hot weather.

Put them on ground last fall where there had never been goats, and several years since any livestock at all. They had all been multiple wormed before moving. Checking the eyes and gums (FAMCHAM or what ever) they seem to be doing OK. I am prepared to start ivomec and cydecten whenever it appears to be a problem. But, what do you do about fleas and ticks?

We are supposed to have some 50º weather next week..The ticks will be out for sure and the fleas soon after that. What do you do about them?

What about for the GrtPyr LGD's? Frontline is too expensive and the dogs are so large it would probably take a quart each.

For the in-laws, I think I'll just keep a bunch of real nasty chores that need to be done before dinner.

[BlueHeronFarm]

I just read a great article in Hobby Farmer magazing that says Guinea fowl LOVE to eat ticks. You should be able to get a couple of those for $7-12 dollars --- and they're natural alarm systems, too, so maybe they can let you know the in-laws are coming down the drive in time for you to hide. Hee hee.

[jordan]

Guinea fowl are incredible for ticks, fleas, mosquitos, ect. but you have to have enough to do the job. I have 25-30 that work about 10-12 of my acres (they don't tend to go to certain parts of the property). You do have to remember that they are not machines though and it may take a little time for you to see the real benefits of having them as each year there are less and less bugs. They might work on the in-laws as well since guineas are really LOUD!
In 6 years I have only seen one tick on a goat. My guineas work the pastures thoroughly every day though.
You only use the recommended amount of Frontline, they have it packaged by weight of the animal. Depending on your location and how bad the parasite problem is, putting out $20 for Frontline will save you in the long run. Fleas and ticks can do some serious damage to the health of your dog.
Guineas are a great investment!

[southerngurl]

With chickens, we have no ticks in our yard or immediate surrounding field (we let them out to free roam periodically). When I used to have a deer, he rarely had ticks when staying in the chickens 1/2 acre run area. When he would get out he would come back absolutely covered in seed ticks.

[firefly81]

Peacocks Work Good For Ticks And Other Little Yard Bugs, And Are Better Looking Than Guineas And Are Not As Noisey

[BlueHeronFarm]

oh come on-- you don't think guineas are cute???

[GrannyCarol]

Originally Posted by firefly81

Peacocks Work Good For Ticks And Other Little Yard Bugs, And Are Better Looking Than Guineas And Are Not As Noisey

If Guineas are noisier than Peacocks, I'd be afraid to have them! Peacocks are very loud! I don't know about Guineas, but you can hear a Peacock for long distances..

[jordan]

Peacocks ARE prettier to look at but they just don't have the same work ethic as a Guinea! The guineas will stay out there working in the heat of the day, while the peacocks are back home primping and the chickens are taking a siesta!
Guineas will out-bug just about any bird out there, the only thing that comes close is a duck (but they are better for flies, not ticks).

[FarmGoddess]

What you need are some geese! As it so happens, I have five that are free to good home, come and get 'em! I'm in Southern Mississippi. PM me if you want 'em!!!!

[Bearfootfarm]

http://www.full-spectrum-dist.com/

This is the cheapest place to get Frontline Plus that Ive found. Order a "years" worth at one time to get the best price. One application will often last for 2 months. Nothing else Ive tried works as well

[waygr00vy]

I think guineas are cute but are certainly very noisy! There are some at a house next to a barn I teach at and they drive me crazy when they get going! Definitely noisier than peacocks! My chickens do just fine, but I am not in an area with too many ticks.

As far as frontline goes, I haven't had much luck lately with it. I have 4 large dogs, 3 of which are long haired and living in Florida fleas are definitely an issue. I have tried advantage, frontline, frontline plus, spray and drops and it seems they always have fleas again in about a week or two! I am dreading flea season this year as we haven't had a hard freeze in the last 2 years!

[southerngurl]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

http://www.full-spectrum-dist.com/

This is the cheapest place to get Frontline Plus that Ive found. Order a "years" worth at one time to get the best price. One application will often last for 2 months. Nothing else Ive tried works as well

I wouldn't use that on an animal I ever intended to eat or milk from. That stuff goes into the body, then comes back out in the skin oils.

That stuff has stopped working in my area, I used to use it for the cats and dogs, it worked wonderfully until year before last when we were overrun with fleas (never had them before). The vet said others are having that problem. Goodbye fiprinol.

I've been using that natural stuff that have at walmart, it actually works quite well. It is applied in the same way as the frontline and smells nice. Cheaper too. It's called natural defense.

[FalconDance]

I've been totally ignored on this here, but the BEST thing for fleas/lice/external parasites on any creature (as well as upholstery, floors, etc) is diatomaceous earth! Non toxic unless you snuff a cloud of it, the animals can lick it without it hurting them (I've read accounts of using it internally, but never tried that), can even use it in the garden for most pests successfully.

~Falcon

[Bearfootfarm]

"I wouldn't use that on an animal I ever intended to eat or milk from"

Thay asked about what to use on the Pyrs. It not meant to be used on anything but dogs or cats

[jordan]

I'm not ignoring you FalconDance! You are absolutely right about DE, it works beautifully and will not harm the envioronment or your animals!
I put it around the base of the house and outbuildings (actually all over the outbuildings). I also put it in the areas my birds tend to dustbathe in.
You do have to re-apply it after a rain.

I have not had a problem with fleas since the first year I moved here, but I put it directly on the dogs then. It made for some filthy dogs, but what the heck, it worked!

Between the Guineas, DE and a few other natural alternatives I use, I can honestly say that we have no fleas, minimal ticks and deal with one or two mosquito bites a year.
Life is good.

[Jillis]

Peacocks scream.