Ants in the Coop

[Spike4spurs]

Can anyone tell me a safe way to rid the chicken coop of ants? They are going for the water. My coop is raised, on cinder blocks and all of the floors are wood but these guys are crawling through the cracks. I'm going to completely scrub the coop tomorrow morning (while it's cooler) but didn't know if there is a secret that I'm missing.

 

[peepswiththepoof]

What if you buy some of those stake baits and put them right outside the coop?

 

[Spike4spurs]

But will the chickens peck at them? I'm so afraid to put up anything or spray.

 

[Tomhusker]

I saw a bunch in my coop today. I gave them a good dusting of DE. That should do the trick.

 

[Spike4spurs]

I should say that my chickens are free range during the day and I put them up at night. If I stake anything outside, they will be there. They also spend the hot days under the coop. My coop is very large.

 

[peepswiththepoof]

I'm not sure if they will or not, so that's why I was thinking you could put the stakes right outside of the coop...ohhh, but if yours free-range during the day, then I guess there would be a concern about the chickens pecking at them.

 

[Spike4spurs]

Is DE ok to use around chickens? Will they peck at it? I'm sorry but I'm a first time owner of chickens and I'm still learning.

 

[peepswiththepoof]

Quote:
That was my next suggestion!

 

[peepswiththepoof]

Yes, the food grade DE is perfectly safe! It's actually a great thing to use around/with your chickens!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

hi spikeforspurs: You might first try DE, but results reported here vary. Check out this company for ant control solutions: http://www.arbico-organics.com/category/pest-solver-guide-ants

I use them for all sorts of bio-control.