Ant infestation

[Thomaswgordon]

Help! I noticed a couple ants at one of the nesting boxes a couple days ago. Today I lifted the straw to find a HUGE pile of ants all over the floor and bedding of nesting box. The last time we changed bedding I added the horse pellets for the first time, could the sawdust be attracting them??

I’ve read about possible dimateuos earth for insects? Is there a specific kind and should I just sprinkle underneath the straw?

Thanks!

 

[nuthatched]

Diotomaeceous Earth, won't do anything. An egg might have broken to attract them. Get some antbait and place them where the birds can't reach them.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

I'd try permethrin dust first. Corn meal is said to kill ants but the chickens would probably eat it first.

Does this look like the right stuff? And just verifying no withdrawal period with this if chickens come in contact. It says it’s 25% premethrin.

 

[Brooks_]

Does this look like the right stuff? And just verifying no withdrawal period with this if chickens come in contact. It says it’s 25% premethrin.

Yes, what I use and fine all around.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Yes, what I use and fine all around.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Brooks_]

Question on the premethrian.. just cleaned coop all out and still saw some ants in nesting box. I sprinkled it all over the floor of coop and nesting boxes and put litter/straw on top of it. I know it’s toxic to inhale for humans, do I need to be cautious about handling eggs from nesting box or anything or as it sits does it get less toxic?

Washing hands and washing the eggs before use is all I would do.

 

[Brooks_]

A dust mask would probably do. And yes for the chicks .

 

[EddieSalita]

You can get liquid permethrin concentrate. Mix it up and spray relevant areas. It has enough of a residual effect to determine ants for a while. Better still is it dries and is less messy than powder.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Diotomaeceous Earth, won't do anything. An egg might have broken to attract them. Get some antbait and place them where the birds can't reach them.

There was a time when an egg broke. I didn’t think it would lead to this. Good to know more likely that then the pellets. Guess I’ll try to clean it out good then bait? What if the ants eat poison then birds get them?

 

[nuthatched]

There was a time when an egg broke. I didn’t think it would lead to this. Good to know more likely that then the pellets. Guess I’ll try to clean it out good then bait? What if the ants eat poison then birds get them?

Chickens don't like ants. Typically the ants carry the food back to the nest.