Ants and Mealworms

[BonnieBlue]

This is a problem I never would have anticipated. It seems ants like dried mealworms.

A couple of days ago, I scattered dried mealworms around the new run to encourage the girls to peck and explore, since it is a new big run, and just like with the new big coop, they are a bit shook by how big it is. This morning they were out, close to the coop, and i was out there with them, and notice ants. The more I looked, I realized they were congregating on the mealworms. Which are all over the run. I sprinkled permethrin on each pile of ants eating the mealworms, scattered in the areas, and found the trail where they were coming into the run and sprinkled along it. I got a lot of them, but not nearly enough. About 15 minutes later I walked around and kicked the dead ants, permithrin, and mealworms into the sand. I know there are a lot more mealworms I missed. So I need to go back this afternoon when I get home and really get after treating the areas. I also put ant bait stations outside the run where I saw the trail of them in the run.

I don't know if they were fire ants, but probably so, given they were so small, and we have fireants like crazy around here. I really don't want fire ants infesting the run.

So after I (hopefully) get this infestation due to mealworms cut down, what do I do about mealworms? That is their favorite treat, and clearly the protein is good for them, especially with molting hitting. Can I treat the entire perimeter of the run with something? Is there anything that works around the perimeter?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[50-45-1]

No need to broadcast the mealworms.
If your chickens have a new big area to explore, just let them do that.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I cannot believe they didn't want the mealworms and it attracted fire ants. This post should 100% be in How did your flock annoy you today?! Girls, c'mon. Eat the treats.

As for what to do... I guess the silver lining is now you know there's a fire ant colony nearby. I'd try to locate that and douse it in every pesticide known to man. Actually, ant baits work better. Find one meant for fire ants and liberally apply. If you don't kill them at the source, they'll keep returning to the run.

 

[BonnieBlue]

I cannot believe they didn't want the mealworms and it attracted fire ants. This post should 100% be in How did your flock annoy you today?! Girls, c'mon. Eat the treats.

As for what to do... I guess the silver lining is now you know there's a fire ant colony nearby. I'd try to locate that and douse it in every pesticide known to man. Actually, ant baits work better. Find one meant for fire ants and liberally apply. If you don't kill them at the source, they'll keep returning to the run.

We broadcast spread for fire ants, and need to again but make sure we don't get close to the run, and spot treat for any of those we see. Unfortunately, we are past due for doing the broadcast treatment and it shows.

I could not believe they didn't eat the treats. They are still hanging close to the coop and won't venture very far out into the run. Even their crack didn't temp them!

 

[BonnieBlue]

No need to broadcast the mealworms.
If your chickens have a new big area to explore, just let them do that.

One of these days they will. Right now, they are still hanging close to the coop, like "nope, we're good".

 

[Ext 918]

When I put out dried meal worms, I have the exact same issue. The girls won't touch them and the ants swarm.

I rehydrate the worms with hot water and only put them in a pan. The flock gobble them up and no ants are interested.

 

[BonnieBlue]

When I put out dried meal worms, I have the exact same issue. The girls won't touch them and the ants swarm.

I rehydrate the worms with hot water and only put them in a pan. The flock gobble them up and no ants are interested.

I will definitely be doing that from now on. It never crossed my mind that ants like dried mealworms. In their small run, I would throw them a handful of mealworms and they were gone before the ants' radars fired up.