Please be careful with permethrin (and Sevin) as it will also kill honeybees.
Careless, too liberal applications of pesticides and fungicides can harm the environment/beneficials too.
Yes, I agree with that. I seldom ever use poisons or pesticides. Living in the country, I have found that there is a natural way to remedy most any problem, although I have used fire ant killer. I've never had a problem with ants around the chickens. I have only used 7 dust on the rare occasions I have brought in live birds. I pick the birds up and message the 7 dust to the skin a few times while in quarantine. I would urge anyone to do their own research though because I am not sure if this is a good idea or even works. I have only done this as a precaution when bringing in new birds on a very few occasions. I may have just been lucky, but I have never had a mite problem. Other than that I just keep them dry, feed and water. I never had an issue with bugs either because the chickens eat most bugs even the ones that fly. I wonder it this isn't another symptom of moisture problems?