Ants ants ants and more ants

bantamsohyeah---

Ants abound around here---- maybe the south is the world's ant capital. When I see them I get DE and I cover them. If ants get into the feed I put a little layer of DE over the ants. If ants are inside the run I put DE over them---and even ants making highways on the wire of the run....DE. Somehow it makes life unliveable for ants. Ants on the forage block -- dust with DE.

For the outside of the feed bins, I spray normal bug spray---If I see anything crawling inside I dust with DE. (Diatomeceous Earth)spell?--- You can get a refillable 'shaker/sprayer' in the garden stores around here...and you can buy 15 pound sacks in garden or feed stores. Be sure that you get food grade. It won't hurt your chickens at all. (don't expose them to the airborne powder)----

 

You can try DE...supposedly it will kill the ants after they ingest it during grooming of themselves and each other.

In my house I always place a lid full of corn meal on the countertop and pretty soon, no ants. The corn is supposed to be corrosive to their digestive tracts and cause ulcerations and resulting peritonitis..then death. They also carry it back to the nest and the larva feed on it once they hatch.

 

I've been drying lemon balm and peppermint from my garden and mixing it with the bedding in the nests and with the litter, I use straw, deep litter method, on the floor. Haven't seen any ants and we have had bunches here!

 

Quote:AND WE EAT THIS STUFF??????

 

I have heard that ants dont like cinnamon, you could try that but if you can find their mound just pour boiling water directly on the nest, it make take two kettles but it definatley works ;o) Good luck!

 

If you can't find it locally, you can always do a search and order it online. Make sure you get food grade DE for the safety of the chickens.

 

I have billions of ants as well. Mine don't make mounds either. They don't bite, but they are everywhere! I've had no luck with DE and yes I bought food grade. The ants just moved around it. I'm going to try the corn meal suggestion, as it is cheap and it won't hurt any of my animals. Thanks!

 

Quote:When I called our local feed store asking for DE they didnt have a clue what I was talking about..so I described its use a bit and what it was made off (fossil shells) and they said "OH! you mean fossil shell flour!" i don't think the gardening places have the Food grade DE Oh well....at least I have some now.