Insect defence on the pasture

Home remedies such as vinegar and water, vegetable oils or wood ash can help, but in practice they are significantly less effective than professional mite control products for chicken coops.

In the event of an acute mite infestation in the henhouse, at least two treatments are required, spaced 5–6 days apart. As a preventive measure, regular application is recommended – particularly during the warmer months and after each mucking out.

Clean the coop thoroughly, remove mite nests mechanically, and then treat all affected areas with mite control products such as diatomaceous earth, mite powder or mite spray. Repeat the treatment regularly. Our recommendations: cit MilbaStop Ultra liquid concentrate, cit automatic mite fogger or cit pest powder.
 

Yes, mites in chickens can be safely eliminated using diatomaceous earth, geraniol and other natural remedies, even in organic farming. Kerbl offers approved mite control products for organic farms, such as Kerbl cit Mite-ExSil mite powder spray or cit DiaCarid.
 

Yes, mite infestations weaken animals, make them susceptible to disease and, in extreme cases, can lead to death. Mites can also cause skin irritation in humans if they come into close contact with them.

With the right products for treating mites in chicken coops and consistent use, mites in chickens can usually be eliminated permanently within 2–3 weeks.

Immediate measures: Muck out the coop, remove mite nests, treat the coop with a mite spray or powder designed for chicken coops, and repeat the treatment several times. You can also give the birds vitamins to boost their health.

Harvest ripe fruit promptly and remove fallen fruit regularly so that the sweet scent does not attract wasps. Hang bee-friendly wasp traps, such as the VespaNo wasp trap, at a safe distance to reduce the population in a targeted manner. Protect ripe fruit additionally with close-meshed nets or fleece. Make sure that nets do not injure or catch any animals.

Garbage cans and compost containers should always be well sealed. Clean the cans regularly to minimise odours. Keep garden sheds, barns and rubbish areas clean and free from sweet or proteinaceous residues. If necessary, place a wasp trap away from the seating area near the bins to attract wasps.

You can usually recognise a wasp nest by the wasps flying in and out of protected, dark places (e.g. under eaves, in shutter boxes or burrows). The removal of a wasp nest is regulated by law in Germany, as wasps are a protected species. Removal is only permitted if there is a specific danger to humans and must often be registered with the nature conservation authority. Always commission a specialised company to carry out the removal safely and in accordance with animal protection regulations.

Wasps are important beneficial insects in the garden. They eat pests such as aphids, caterpillars and flies and thus contribute to the natural balance. Wasps also pollinate flowers - albeit less than bees. A tolerant approach to wasps, as long as there is no immediate danger, supports biodiversity and helps to maintain the ecological balance.

Explain to children how they should behave around wasps: no frantic movements, no hitting or catching wasps. Always keep food and drinks outdoors covered and check for wasps before taking a sip from open containers. The following applies to pets: do not leave food out in the open, clean bowls after eating. Make sure that children avoid wasp nests. In case of allergies or stings in the mouth and throat, consult a doctor immediately!

If there are large nests in the immediate neighbourhood of seating areas, if there are allergy sufferers in the household or if the nest is located in hard-to-reach or dangerous places, you should definitely contact professional pest controllers. They can assess the nest and, if necessary, relocate or remove it safely - taking into account the legal requirements.

Keep the garden clean, dispose of fallen fruit, cover trash cans and compost, harvest fruit in good time and close off potential nesting sites such as cavities in buildings. Plant lavender or mint around seating areas and use bee-friendly wasp traps. Check potential nesting sites regularly and act early at the first sign of a nest being built.

Mosquito protection in the home starts with installing mosquito screens on windows and doors. Also avoid standing water, such as that found in flower stands or watering cans. Only ventilate with closed insect screens, especially in the evening and at night. Scented candles or electric vaporisers with essential oils can also help to keep mosquitoes away. The cit FlyBooster automatic sprayer provides continuous mosquito defence indoors and in stables and can be set individually - for mosquito-free rooms, day and night.

Natural mosquito repellent can be achieved using essential oils such as citronella, lavender or eucalyptus. These can be diluted and applied to the skin or used in scented lamps. Mosquito repellent plants such as lavender, lemon balm and basil on balconies and windowsills are also tried and tested mosquito repellent tips. Kerbl also offers biological mosquito repellents such as the cit Mosquitoes/Gnats emulsion concentrate, which works reliably and quickly and is based on the active ingredient of chrysanthemum.

Use fine-meshed mosquito screens on windows and doors, avoid using light sources when windows are open and use a mosquito net over the bed. The cit Mosquitoes/Gnats repellent from Kerbl can also be applied to the outside of window frames to reliably keep mosquitoes away.

Cool the affected area and use special creams or sticks containing antihistamines. Home remedies such as aloe vera or lemon juice also relieve itching. With consistent mosquito protection using Kerbl mosquito spray and mosquito repellent, you can effectively prevent mosquito bites and thus avoid inflamed skin and infections.

Mosquito protection for windows is provided by fine-meshed insect screens that are simply attached to the window frame. For extra protection, we recommend applying cit Mosquitoes/Gnats repellent to window frames and sills to keep your bedroom and living room mosquito-free.

Lavender, lemon balm, basil, catnip, rosemary and geraniums are natural mosquito repellent plants and provide a pleasant fragrance on the balcony, patio or in the garden - for outdoor mosquito repellent that is also visually appealing.

Home remedies such as essential oils, vinegar trays or fumigating with lavender can have a supportive effect. However, for lasting and extensive protection, the use of professional mosquito repellents such as Kerbl products for outdoor and indoor mosquito protection is recommended.

Wear light-coloured, long clothing, use mosquito spray such as cit KeinStich forte and avoid standing water. Scented candles or spirals offer additional mosquito protection in the garden, on the terrace or when camping.

The duration of action depends on the active ingredient. cit KeinStich forte offers up to 8 hours of protection against mosquitoes and up to 4 hours against ticks - ideal for long working days or extended stays outdoors.

Mosquito spray from Kerbl is dermatologically tested and suitable for children from the age of 2. For animals, the Kerbl range includes the special, animal-friendly mosquito repellent cit insect spray FlyBooster, which has been specially developed for use on cattle, chickens, horses and other farm animals.

Combine mosquito protection tips such as wearing long clothing, using mosquito spray, mosquito nets and insect screens. Supplement your protection with mosquito repellent for the home, windows and garden to effectively prevent mosquito bites.

Long, loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing offers the best protection. Special textiles with integrated mosquito repellent are available for special requirements. You should also use mosquito spray to protect uncovered areas of skin.

Mosquito bites in Europe are generally not particularly dangerous, but they can still be unpleasant. Most mosquito species in Europe do not transmit serious diseases. Nevertheless, there are some risks that should not go unnoticed:

• West Nile fever: This virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that are common in southern Europe. However, the risk of serious illness is relatively low and most people only show mild symptoms or none at all.
• Zika virus: Zika is only occasionally reported in Europe, especially in southern regions. However, transmission is rare and in most cases the infection is mild.
• Malaria::There are hardly any cases of malaria in Europe, except in some very remote areas (e.g. Greece, Italy and Bosnia). This disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, but it is now very rare in Europe due to good medical care.
• Ticks: Ticks are a greater threat than mosquitoes in many European countries as they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease or tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). These diseases are common in certain regions of Europe, but even here the risk is relatively low if protective measures are taken.

For most people in Europe, mosquito bites are more of a nuisance than a serious danger. However, it is advisable to use mosquito repellent, especially in the summer months and in areas where mosquitoes are more common. If you are travelling to tropical or subtropical areas, you should take additional protective measures.

Indoors, the focus is on mosquito repellent windows, mosquito nets and mosquito spray machines, while outdoors the portfolio is complemented by mosquito spray, biological mosquito repellents and special clothing.

Remove standing water, plant mosquito-repellent herbs and use the mosquito/gells cit concentrate and cit FlyBooster mosquito spray for extensive, long-lasting protection outdoors.

Windows with permanently integrated or retrofittable mosquito screens offer the most reliable protection. Supplement this with mosquito repellent for window frames and sills for maximum mosquito defence.

Mosquitoes search for food in the evening and at night, as they prefer the cooler temperatures and higher humidity.

Studies have shown that ultrasonic devices only have a limited effect. For reliable mosquito protection, mechanical and chemical solutions such as tried-and-tested mosquito repellents and mosquito sprays are recommended.