Got a fly problem around your coop and run?  Here’s a solution you’re going to have to try to believe. It’s inexpensive and effective: vanilla scented automotive air fresheners. You heard it right: vanilla Christmas trees. 

I do not claim to know WHY they repel flies, but I can attest that they do. Deploy an army of them liberally around your coop and run where they will remain relatively dry for maximum efficiency and economy.  I use 9 of them at a time.

Personally, I don’t just want the flies to relocate (eg: migrate up to my house or garage), I want them GONE, so I use two Trap & Toss® fly disposable traps, one near each coop. I buy the traps at Tractor Supply for about five bucks each. Be forewarned:   these traps contain the fetid stench of a thousand garbage cans containing raw meat, locked in an air-tight garage during a month-long heatwave. You really don’t want to spill this putresence (or stand near it, for that matter). Somehow the flies prefer to the smell of death to vanilla. Go figure. 

Here’s my most recent testimonial to the effectiveness of these little yellow trees. After having given my chickens an entire watermelon, cut into pieces, I left the rinds scattered about the yard overnight. Tactical error to be sure. By morning, flies had descended upon my backyard with a fury.  I rolled out the Vanilla Scented Tree Army and by that afternoon, the flies were gone. True story. Try it yourself and let me know how it works for you!

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Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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Got a fly problem around your coop and run?  Here’s a solution you’re going to have to try to believe. It’s inexpensive and effective: vanilla scented automotive air fresheners. You heard it right: vanilla Christmas trees. 

I do not claim to know WHY they repel flies, but I can attest that they do. Deploy an army of them liberally around your coop and run where they will remain relatively dry for maximum efficiency and economy.  I use 9 of them at a time.

Personally, I don’t just want the flies to relocate (eg: migrate up to my house or garage), I want them GONE, so I use two Trap & Toss® fly disposable traps, one near each coop. I buy the traps at Tractor Supply for about five bucks each. Be forewarned:   these traps contain the fetid stench of a thousand garbage cans containing raw meat, locked in an air-tight garage during a month-long heatwave. You really don’t want to spill this putresence (or stand near it, for that matter). Somehow the flies prefer to the smell of death to vanilla. Go figure. 

Here’s my most recent testimonial to the effectiveness of these little yellow trees. After having given my chickens an entire watermelon, cut into pieces, I left the rinds scattered about the yard overnight. Tactical error to be sure. By morning, flies had descended upon my backyard with a fury.  I rolled out the Vanilla Scented Tree Army and by that afternoon, the flies were gone. True story. Try it yourself and let me know how it works for you!

health 2 delivery

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Sharon Whalen
Sharon Whalen
5 years ago

One of my hens had worms in her poop today. I only have 2 hens and I suspected a problem. What can I do to worm her and more than likely the other hen now has parasites. I take good care of these hens and they are otherwise very healthy and happy. Please help me. I cant stand the thought of parasites.

Deb Rocker Snider
Deb Rocker Snider
9 years ago

I have heard that vanilla is good to use for treatment against misquito bites. Maybe it works in that same way against flies.

Ivonne Kessler
Ivonne Kessler
9 years ago

Oh my gosh! I can't wait to try this out in the spring/summer :)

CKnott
CKnott
9 years ago

I've been buying these in bulk on Amazon for the past few years, and yes, they are amazing! I haven't had a fly problem since I started hanging these around.

Patti Bowden
Patti Bowden
9 years ago

I just started to have a fly problem–the culprit? Watermelon rinds left in the run all day. I am going to try the vanilla trees. And no more rinds…..my spoiled girls will have their melon cut up for them!