The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: McFrosty on June 01, 2011, 08:18:45 pm
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The midgies are fierce here at the moment. My husband uses all sorts of nasty old chemicals on himself (jungle formula etc) but they all seem to burn my skin. I used the Bogmyrtle extract repellant http://www.bogmyrtle.com/ (http://www.bogmyrtle.com/) last year to good effect on myself.
So questions....
1. Can I use bogmyrtle extract on the goats and pigs to stop them being driven daft (Esme is still being milked)
2. I have half a field of wild bogmyrtle at the bottom of my land... could I rub this plant on the animals to any good effect??
3. Do goats and or pigs eat bogmyrtle?? (going on the "eat marmite/garlic and the midgies won't bite" theory)??
4. Any other product or strategy for dealing with the midgie and my lovely animals???
Thanks all
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I'm not sure how it would work on animals :-\ but the best thing I've found (and this is on the advice of a fisherman ;)) is Avon's Skin So Soft body spray oil. Midgies hate it ! Tried, tested and proven on humans on the west coast of Scotland ;) ;D
HTH
Karen :wave:
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I'm not sure how it would work on animals :-\ but the best thing I've found (and this is on the advice of a fisherman ;)) is Avon's Skin So Soft body spray oil. Midgies hate it ! Tried, tested and proven on humans on the west coast of Scotland ;) ;D
HTH
Karen :wave:
Also sworn by south of the border
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Avon Skin so soft was recommended to me as a midge repellant by a pharmacist too
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Think its marketed as having insect repellent qualities in the states but EU won't let Avon do it here
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The oiliness in Skin So Soft is partly what put off the midges while it lasts, apparently. So probably wouldn't on hairy coats. The horse people use citronella on horses to keep off flies so I'm wondering if there are horse products that could safely be used on goats - got the same problem here, they're (the midges) just starting today and outside will now be a no-go zone until the end of September :P
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We use home made fly spray, based on horse version works a treat!! Will post recipy later when i find it, and we use it on all our animals and its fine, and us!!!
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Fab - please do post the recipe. Do use Skin So Soft too cause it smells nice, but pigs are hairy (large blacks) and obviously so are the goats. Horse stuff is good idea, maybe need to contact manufacturers to see what they think ?
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If it is safe for horses it should be safe for goats too, contacting the manufacturer will not get you any answers, because it will not have been tested on goats (too expensive and too small a market). You could also ask your vet - he may have had similar enquiries from dog/sheep owners. What is used on cattle?
Fortunately we do not have midges dring the day, but as we are next to the river in the evening they do come out in force... our goats are not out in the evening.
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I used this last year on my goats and it was very successful
http://www.animalmedicationdirect.co.uk/enhanced-formula-fly-repellent-for-horses-barrier-500ml-spray-pr-5729.html (http://www.animalmedicationdirect.co.uk/enhanced-formula-fly-repellent-for-horses-barrier-500ml-spray-pr-5729.html)
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I've been using my own animal soap on the goats and not noticed any bugs anywhere near them. It contains essential oils of lavender, citronella and tea tree. I suppose it might seem a bit weird using goats milk soap on goats but they don't seem to mind! HOpefully one day I'll get round to adding it to the website!!
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Just ordered some of that spray - fingers crossed!
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Hello folks,
I tried using the Enhanced Formula fly repellant on my horse and he had a skin reaction to it so, word of caution, only spray it on a small area first to ensure that they don't too have a reaction.
McR