Ants in Quack House

[Quack head]

First I want to say the four week old "Toddlers" are doing great after we moved them from the brooder to the Quack House a week ago. The chicks, 10 days old, are also doing well in the brooder.

Now, I purchased 10lbs of mealworms, since everything loves the worms, I took them out of the plastic bag and put them in a small container with a lid. Now I have ants all in the mealworms. The ducks doesn't seem to mind, but the get all over my hand.

If I take all of the ducks out of the Quack House and set off a bug balm then put the mealworms back in the plastic bag they came in would that hurt the ducks? Keep in mind 1/2 of the Quack House is open to the outside?

 

[Qwerty3159]

I would be hesitant to set off any chemicals inside the coop especially since it's open to the outside and more ants would just come in their place.
How are they getting into the mealworms container? Eliminate the food source and they'll go away. As for the mealworms already containing live ants, leave the newly secured container on the hot driveway for a few hours to neutralize the problem.

 

[TearDucks]

I personally would not set off a bug bomb. I too will get ants around my coop and i use a natural essential oil spray that won't harm them. Then i make sure its very aired out. This works awesome and its very safe. Use it when it isn't going to rain after you spray. Also the ducks do eat the ants so that should help a little too...
Good luck

 

[Quack head]

I would be hesitant to set off any chemicals inside the coop especially since it's open to the outside and more ants would just come in their place.
How are they getting into the mealworms container? Eliminate the food source and they'll go away. As for the mealworms already containing live ants, leave the newly secured container on the hot driveway for a few hours to neutralize the problem.

Thank you I will try that.