We have bat boxes and the bats usually come in the spring but only stay here long enough to have babies, then they move on, I presume further north (we're in Florida). Bats are GREAT, but keep in mind, they don't just fly around your property - they travel many miles every night. Many bat boxes never have a bat in them - not sure how we got lucky with ours, but there are many bat boxes built by various Universities in FLA that have never seen their first bat . . .so it's kind of hit and miss with attracting them.
I've also considered that cow 'curtain', but I don't know if these crazy blackbellies would walk through it or just jump over it! Onalee -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Christine Handley Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 2:20 PM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [blackbelly] mosquitos and flies Bat Boxes? Haven't tried them, but I hear they can consumme massive amounts of insects. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carol J. Elkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info> Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 10:14 AM Subject: [blackbelly] mosquitos and flies > This year is one of the absolutely worst mosquito years I've experienced. > I > am held captive in my house because I can't dress for mosquitos and the > 100-degree temps we're having at the same time. One requires head-to-toe > coverage, the other requires near nakedness. I purchased an > approved-for-dogs mosquito repellent for my dogs and am wiping their faces > with it daily. But my poor sheep...they are almost insane (relatively > speaking for a blackbelly) from the constant torment of these biting > buggers. And West Nile is very prevalent in my area. > > Do any of you have a mosquito and fly prevention method that works for > larger flocks? By this I mean I simply do not have time to wipe down 20 > individual sheep heads every day or so. The sprays I've used in the past > for barns don't work well and are useless when the sheep are on pasture. > > I've seen pictures of a set-up they use for cows where the cow walks > through this "curtain" of cloth strips that have been impregnated with > insecticide. I've been thinking of something like that, but would like to > know more before I go to the trouble and expense setting it up. How > effective is it? How does the sheep's hair handle the goop? Is the > insecticide harmful to the sheep or does it contaminate the meat? > > If you're using a method that works, please share! > > Carol > Carol Elkins > Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep > (no shear, no dock, no fuss) > Pueblo, Colorado > http://www.critterhaven.biz > T-shirts, mugs, caps, and more at the > Barbados Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafepress.com/blackbellysheep > > _______________________________________________ > This message is from the blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > _______________________________________________ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info _______________________________________________ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
