I've been sad this week because I've lost my battle with the dreaded Red Mites and am now without my lovely girls, Eggy and Peggy. I'm missing them terribly, but I thought it better that I lose the battle with the red mites, rather than them. After weeks and weeks of scrubbing, spraying, squirting, powdering and squashing, I asked BillyJane if she'd like to give the girls a safe home in her new Eglu palace, and she very kindly agreed to take them in, having lost two of her own to the pesky things.
So I am without hens, and what a quiet, desolate garden I have now. I do feel quite bereft without them and am saving up for my own eglu as this seems to be the only answer, but they cost lots, so it probably won't be until next Spring that I will be able to once more enjoy the sounds of contented clucking. It's not all bad, as Jane is giving me the eggs from my girls as together with her three, she will have more than enough anyway.
So I am without hens, and what a quiet, desolate garden I have now. I do feel quite bereft without them and am saving up for my own eglu as this seems to be the only answer, but they cost lots, so it probably won't be until next Spring that I will be able to once more enjoy the sounds of contented clucking. It's not all bad, as Jane is giving me the eggs from my girls as together with her three, she will have more than enough anyway.
To distract myself, I've been tidying up my sewing room and saving my fabric instead. The afternoon sun shines directly into my fabric cupboard, so I've been worried about fading. I know lots of other crafty bloggers have got the same Ikea cupboard as me. I think it was designed by somebody who sews, because it is sew perfect (haha) for storing everything, nice and roomy, lots of shelves, and pretty too, in a plain sort of way. So this is what I did to protect my lovely fabric ...
(ignore the mess on top!!)This ofcourse promted a tidy up! My sewing space has, over the last two years, grown from the dining room table to this ...
I am hoping that one day it doesn't take over the whole house!!!
15 comments:
That's a great shame - but I'm glad that the girls have gone to a good home. xxx
Awww, Julia, that's very sad, but I'm sure you've done the right thing.
Horrid red mites.
No personal experience but the Red Mites sound terrrrible...glad your girls have a safe home...you can visit and they'll be back before you know it...your sewing room looks very nice... maybe I should go work on mine....
Did you do the spray at night? We have had red mites and used powder at night, but spray seems to be better. And when you do them, make sure that you do the underneath, not just the top. Will look out the name for you tomorrow if you like. We don't have eglus, just wooden arks - clean out thoroughly every week, and use a brush right into the corners - hassle the mites!
Pomona x
sorry about your girls but they are safe in their new home i am sure...
Looks like a lovely place to be
So sorry to hear about Eggy and Peggy...though it's good to hear they're safe now.
Love the cupboards...I have 2 Ikea cupboards too to store everything. My doors are frosted glass...and live in the dining room (shock! horror! according to my MIL!) :o)
Oh, I'm sorry about your girls! At least they have a nice new home. I know you must miss them, though. Dang it!
Oh dear, at least they are in good company and hopefully will be happy and mite free there... I am sure an solution will present itself... if I win the lottery I'll buy you an eglu...
big hugs Alex
I really missed my hens when I gave them up too. It was a case of keeping them along with the rats or letting them go so the rats would move on too :o(
Lucy x
I'm so sorry to here that you've had to rehome the girls..but at least I guess they will be mite-free now?. xx
Ack, no wonder you're bereft. Francine Raymond, the chicken lady in Suffolk, recommends using a hen house made from wood, but sheets (ie marine ply) rather than planks, as very few hiding places for red mites. She may be worth contacting for advice? I'm not a fan of eglus, they're on the small side, and plastic to boot. They also get very hot in warm weather.
Hope you find a solution so you can have your girls home soon.
That is sad Julia. I've just come in from having given my girls yet another dose of spray. I'm hoping they will disappear with the warm weather.
I know how you must miss Eggy and Peggy. My three sleep in an eglu and it's a boon in that it's so well designed and easy to keep clean and no crevices for the mites. You can sometimes get them a bit cheaper on Ebay.
Love the cupboard by the way!
BOOOO what a shame about the girls - but great you have such a lovely friend to take them in in their hour of need! xx
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