Ants and Slugs

[MilotheQuail]

I haven’t been to my backyard as much because I didn’t want to disturb my broody quail, but because of it the ants and slugs have been having a field day! Population exploded—there’s ants running around and drinking her water, and the slugs have been wading in her water and food bowls. Now that a couple of quail chicks have hatched, should I be worried? Can ants harm chicks? How do I get rid of the ants and slugs without hurting my quails?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Ants can harm chicks, and I've found a couple baby robins being eaten alive by ants. And my impression is that insects generally get larger and fiercer and more numerous the further south you go.

I'd remove the quail, dust/spray the place with your pesticide of choice, and return them after it rains. Permethrin is often cited, and it's what I'd use with baby quail in the equation.

 

[azygous]

No worries. Easy safe natural ways to get rid of this creeping crawlies: Permethrin poultry dusting powder or Sevin dust sprinkled around the area for the ants are safe for chickens. And slugs can be controlled by sprinkling DE around the area. You can also set up beer traps for the slugs, dishes of beer will drown them. You can rig up little canopies over the dishes so your quail don't get drunk but the slugs can still slither into the dish.

 

[CJLR]

Also worm your quail slugs cary worms and if the have been in her water she may have worms

 

[workindog]

I've never had luck with beer traps.. wish there was a better way to get rid of slugs.. they are eating my rabbits/chickens lettuces!!!