Do guinea hens eat ticks?

Answered by Douglas Hiatt

Guinea hens are fantastic at controlling pests, including ticks. I have personal experience with keeping guineas on my property, and they have done an amazing job at keeping the tick population in check.

One of the great things about guineas is that they are natural foragers. They love to roam around and hunt for insects and small creatures, and ticks are definitely on their menu. Unlike chickens, guineas have a knack for finding and devouring pests without causing damage to your garden or tearing up the soil. This makes them a perfect choice for pest control in areas where you want to maintain your landscaping.

Ticks can be a real nuisance, and they can also carry diseases such as Lyme disease. Having guineas around can help reduce the tick population on your property, which in turn can lower the risk of tick-borne illnesses for you and your pets.

Guineas are known for their voracious appetite, and they will eagerly consume any pests they can find. In addition to ticks, they will also go after beetles, fleas, grasshoppers, crickets, and even small snakes. They have sharp beaks that they use to peck at the pests, and their keen eyesight helps them spot their prey from a distance.

One of the reasons guineas are so effective at pest control is their ability to range over a large area. They are excellent foragers and will cover a wide territory as they search for food. This means that they will hunt for pests not only in your garden but also in other parts of your property. They will venture into tall grass, shrubs, and even wooded areas, searching for ticks and other insects.

I have personally observed my guineas diligently hunting for ticks. They would patrol the grassy areas and peck at the ground, picking off any ticks they came across. It was fascinating to watch their natural instincts at work.

If you are considering getting guineas for pest control, it’s important to note that they do require some special care. They are social birds and thrive in a flock, so it’s best to have at least a few guineas together. They also need a secure coop or shelter to protect them from predators at night.

Guinea hens are excellent at eating ticks and other pests. Their natural foraging behavior and ability to cover a large area make them effective pest controllers. If you’re looking for a natural and environmentally friendly way to control pests on your property, guineas are definitely worth considering.