As the colder weather starts to move into Oklahoma, that means pests will start moving into your barn. The eight barns at State Fair Park are not exempt from this. Over the years we have developed an art to keeping our barns free from pests. Here are a few tricks that will help you keep your barn clean and pest free all year long.
Manure Control
This is one of the single most important steps a barn owner can take to eliminate pests. As you know, manure will attract flies to your barn which can cause major irritation to horses. This is not the only problem manure will cause in your barn.
Excessive manure will affect the drainage of your barn, thereby creating an opportunity for insects and larva to grow. In turn, these insects can become a breeding ground for viruses such as the H1N1 and West Nile. Animals can be very sensitive to insect borne diseases, so be sure to take extreme care in this matter.
Clean your stalls daily to avoid a buildup of manure. Store the manure away from the barn until proper disposal can take place. Many local nurseries and agricultural centers will be happy to come haul away your manure free of charge to use in fertilizer.
Vermin Control
It may be hard to keep every single mouse and raccoon away from your barn, but there are a few steps you can take to make it harder for them. First off, keep extra feed stored in airtight containers away from points of entry. Metal containers are ideal because they cannot be chewed through by determined pests.
Also, consider adopting a few cats from your local animal shelter to use as barn cats. These cats will be your first line of defense in keeping away unwanted critters. Before you adopt the cats, make sure they have their all of their claws and that your barn animals will not be frightened by them.
Insect Control
If you have a heated barn, you have an additional problem waiting for you. The increased heat will make this an ideal place for insects and roaches to nest for the winter months. To prevent them from taking over your barn, try using a quality insecticide and roach killer around the outskirts of your barn to ward them off.
If this technique does not work, try using bait and other traps on the interior of your barn—especially around heat sources. If all else fails, call a professional exterminator to deal with the job. Make sure any of the pesticides used in the barn are safe for animals. If you choose a professional exterminator, ask to see the product labels just to be sure.
At State Fair Park, we have a dedicated team responsible for keeping our barns pest free. We incorporate a number of the above techniques and strategies to stop pests and other insects from entering and disrupting our yards. Those experts have learned various techniques to keep their barn clear. If you have any others, share them below!
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