6 Best Cedar Shavings For Insect Repellent Bedding Without Chemicals
Cedar shavings offer a natural, chemical-free way to repel insects in bedding. We review the top 6 options for safe and effective pest control.
You crack open the coop door in the morning, and instead of that fresh, earthy smell, you get a whiff of dampness and ammonia. You know that smell is an open invitation for mites and lice to move in. For years, the go-to solution was dusting everything with chemicals, but there’s a better, more natural way to keep your flock’s home fresh and pest-free. Aromatic cedar shavings are a classic tool for a reason, offering a powerful scent that naturally deters insects without resorting to harsh treatments.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Aromatic Cedar Repels Pests Naturally
Cedar’s power isn’t magic; it’s chemistry. Aromatic cedar, particularly Eastern Red Cedar, contains natural oils and aromatic hydrocarbons called phenols. These compounds are what give cedar its distinct, pleasant smell, but to insects like mites, lice, fleas, and moths, that aroma is a potent "No Vacancy" sign.
The oils don’t necessarily kill pests on contact like a chemical insecticide would. Instead, they act as a strong repellent. The scent interferes with insects’ ability to navigate and find a host, making your coop an incredibly unattractive place to settle down and lay eggs. It disrupts their entire life cycle.
Think of it as preventative maintenance. Spreading cedar shavings creates an environment that pests actively avoid. It’s a first line of defense that keeps your coop from becoming a breeding ground in the first place, reducing the need for more aggressive treatments down the line.
Kaytee Cedar Bedding: A Dust-Free Classic
Kaytee is a name you’ll see in nearly every pet and feed store, and for good reason. Their cedar bedding is specifically processed to be low-dust, which is a major concern for the respiratory health of both your birds and yourself. When you open a bag, you won’t get that choking cloud of fine particles.
This product is often kiln-dried, which not only reduces dust but also kills off any potential mold or bacteria, ensuring a clean start for your coop. The shavings are typically smaller and softer than bulk agricultural brands. This makes them a great choice for nesting boxes or for smaller coops where a softer footing is desired.
The main tradeoff is cost and volume. You’re paying a premium for the processing and clean, consistent quality. A bag of Kaytee cedar won’t cover as much ground as a compressed bale from a farm supply store, so it’s best suited for targeted applications or smaller flocks where the higher cost per square foot is less of an issue.
Standlee Western Cedar for Coop Freshness
When you need a workhorse bedding for your coop, Standlee is a brand to look for. Often found in the equine section of the feed store, their Western Cedar shavings are designed for high-absorbency and odor control. This isn’t a delicate, soft bedding; it’s a functional product meant to keep larger spaces clean and dry.
Many Standlee products are actually a blend of cedar and other softwoods like pine. This is a smart combination. You get the aromatic pest-repelling properties of cedar, plus the excellent moisture-wicking capability of pine shavings. This duo is fantastic for managing ammonia odors.
The flake size is generally larger and more substantial, which helps prevent it from compacting down too quickly. This makes it a solid choice for a deep litter method where you’re adding fresh layers over time. It provides good structure and airflow within the bedding, which is key to keeping things from getting swampy.
Producer’s Pride Cedar: Tractor Supply Value
If you run a larger coop or just go through a lot of bedding, value becomes a top priority. Producer’s Pride, the house brand for Tractor Supply, is the answer for many hobby farmers. These compressed bales offer a massive amount of bedding for a very reasonable price.
This is your no-frills, get-the-job-done option. You trade the consistent, low-dust quality of a premium brand for sheer volume. The flake size can be inconsistent from one bale to the next, and you should expect more dust. It’s a good idea to let it air out for a bit after breaking open the bale.
Despite the variability, it’s an incredibly practical choice. The strong cedar scent is there, providing the pest-repellent benefits you’re looking for. For bedding a large run or doing a full coop clean-out, the cost savings of Producer’s Pride are hard to beat.
America’s Choice Shavings for Large Areas
Similar to Producer’s Pride, America’s Choice is another brand focused on providing bulk shavings at a low cost. Their main selling point is the highly compressed bale format. A bale that you can easily fit in the back of your car will expand to cover a surprisingly large area once you cut the straps and fluff it up with a pitchfork.
This brand also frequently uses a mix of cedar and other softwoods, balancing the aromatic benefits with absorbency. The focus is on functionality for large spaces, like a barn aisle or a big chicken run, where you need to put down a thick, absorbent layer without breaking the bank.
The same tradeoffs apply here: expect more dust and less consistency than you’d get from a small-pet brand. However, the space-saving storage and sheer coverage make it a staple for anyone managing more than a handful of birds. It’s about practicality over polish.
Living World Cedar: Soft for Small Animals
Living World brings us back to the premium, pet-focused side of the spectrum. Like Kaytee, their cedar is processed for softness and low dust content. The shavings are often very fine and uniform, creating a comfortable, almost fluffy, bed.
This isn’t the product you’d use for the entire floor of a 12×12 coop—the cost would be prohibitive. Instead, its value lies in strategic use. Its softness makes it the perfect material for nesting boxes. A generous layer of Living World cedar encourages hens to lay where you want them to, while keeping the boxes dry, fresh, and free of mites that might otherwise bother a setting hen.
Think of it as a specialty tool in your coop management toolkit. A single bag can last a long time when used exclusively for the half-dozen nesting boxes in your coop. It’s an investment in egg cleanliness and hen comfort.
Small Pet Select Cedar for Premium Comfort
Provide a comfortable and clean space for your pets with PETSPICK Red Cedar Bedding. This 99.9% dust-free, all-natural cedar bedding absorbs moisture and odors, keeping kennels and stables fresh.
For the hobby farmer who wants the absolute best and is willing to pay for it, Small Pet Select is the top-tier option. This company stakes its reputation on quality. Their cedar shavings are typically 100% aromatic cedar, not a blend, providing the maximum pest-repelling aroma.
What sets this brand apart is the processing. The shavings are often triple-screened to remove virtually all dust, making it the cleanest and safest option from a respiratory standpoint. They also emphasize sustainable sourcing for their wood, which is an important consideration for many.
This is, without a doubt, the most expensive option on the list. It’s not a practical choice for large-scale use. However, for a sensitive flock, a quarantine pen where you need sterile conditions, or a brooder with well-feathered pullets, the peace of mind that comes with this level of quality can be worth the price.
Using Cedar Bedding Safely in Your Coop
There’s a lot of debate online about the safety of cedar shavings, specifically regarding the aromatic oils and respiratory health. The truth is, it’s not about whether cedar is "good" or "bad," but about how you use it. Proper ventilation is the most critical factor. In a stuffy, poorly-ventilated coop, those aromatic compounds can become concentrated and irritating. In a coop with good airflow, they dissipate harmlessly.
Second, avoid using 100% cedar for very young, unfeathered chicks in a small, enclosed brooder. Their respiratory systems are still developing and are more sensitive. Wait until they are older and have moved to a larger, better-ventilated space before introducing cedar.
A fantastic strategy for any coop is to use cedar as an amendment, not the sole bedding.
- Start with a deep base of a neutral bedding like pine shavings or chopped straw.
- Mix in a bag of cedar shavings, aiming for a ratio of about 1 part cedar to 4 or 5 parts base bedding.
- This gives you the pest-repelling and aromatic benefits of cedar without overwhelming the space. You get the best of both worlds: the absorbency of pine and the pest-deterrence of cedar.
Finally, just watch your flock. If you introduce cedar and notice any signs of respiratory distress like sneezing or coughing, remove it. Every situation is unique, and being observant is your best tool.
Choosing the right cedar bedding isn’t about finding a single "best" product, but about matching the right tool to the job at hand. Whether you need bulk value for a large coop or premium, dust-free comfort for nesting boxes, there’s a cedar option that fits. By using it wisely and ensuring good ventilation, you can leverage the natural pest-repelling power of cedar to keep your flock healthy and your coop smelling fresh, all without reaching for a chemical duster.
