Tuesday, June 01st, 2010 | Author:

I left the children’s water table under a porch light the other night and woke to find this.

June bugs

I thought what any chicken owner would think.

chickens eating june bugs

My chickens were delighted. So the next night I made sure the water table was parked there and placed a bucket under our other porch light. Suddenly I’m motivated to fix the other two outdoor lights we have.

What’s more, June bugs are a bit of a pest, defoliating shrubs and trees in early spring. By mid summer, their grubs are ready to start damaging your lawn and even your vegetable patch.

A healthy lawn is usually able to handle a mild attack of June bug larva, but they can become a problem when conditions are dry (as they usually are here in Nebraska come August) or if the larva population is just too large. My chickens are doing their part to keep the numbers under control!

I may even go sweep up all the beetles that crash land on my sidewalk and patio. I think they’ll store nicely in a bucket until morning.

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6 Responses

  1. 1
    Elie 

    Very interesting…
    .-= Elie´s last blog ..Beartooth Stout =-.

  2. I love this idea! We really don’t seem to be having a problem with June bugs but I wonder if it will work for other bugs?
    .-= LivingOurWay´s last blog ..I’m back with an update =-.

  3. Your chickens look very happy to be helping out with bug patrol!
    .-= Curbstone Valley Farm´s last blog ..Rosa gymnocarpa =-.

  4. 4
    Louisa 

    I LOVE IT!!!
    My chickens are jealous!
    Get those lights fixed!
    Check out this blogpost a friend made about the slugs on my farm…..
    http://hillbillyjillies.blogspot.com/2010/05/time-at-neighbours-strawberrypoultry.html
    .-= Louisa´s last blog ..Now that’s a……… =-.

  5. 5
    Dana 

    It may, especially if you put a little water in the bottom of the bucket to keep the bugs from being able to fly out. My water table has a lot more June bugs in it and a couple moths right now because it is raining.

    Our water table has a slow leak, so not too much water gets in. :)
    .-= Dana´s last blog ..Free chicken treats, or Organic June bug control =-.

  6. 6
    Dana 

    Thanks! You’ll have to find some juicy bugs for your girls. Or carrot peelings. Mine always get excited about those. I think they like anything that looks like a worm, be it peelings, spaghetti, my shoe laces or worms. :)
    .-= Dana´s last blog ..Free chicken treats, or Organic June bug control =-.

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