Ants...really need some help here

[shellybean40]

Borax, or Boric acid could be dangerous for your hens. Be careful where you put it. It is dangerous for dogs and cats, also.

 

[chknlitl]

I used DE on a huge antbed by my coop. I sprinkled it on the mound but didnt see a big result. I then covered the whole mound with DE and the next day no ants....Sooo I covered the ground around the coop. I used a lot of DE but it worked. No ants in two weeks in the coop. DE has worked really well for me but only if I blanket the area with it.

 

[StormyMoon]

I was told to use dried oatmeal for ants they take it back to the queen and she explodes so far its worked and they have not came back.

 

[puredelite]

Not very organic or "green" but when I used to to live down in La. where fireants were a constant hassle I would pour used motor oil around the legs of my brooders and the ants didn't cross it at all. Had to move all the way to the mountains of Virginia to escape not only fireants but also mosquitoes and roaches! Best of luck to your problem!

 

[geebs]

Orange oil sprayed on the wood of your coup and around the outside absolutely messes with the olifactory senses and ants can't smell so they will not be around it... Cinnamon oil does the same... YOu can use cinnamon in the feed and see if that makes it less desireable... I would do the orange oil... I know it works... I have used it before and still it is my first and last line of defense again really pesky ones... I do use cinnamon in my feed...It is good for chicken and for the lawn and is bad for ants.

 

[conroy]

DE does work ( we use it) but you do have to put quite a bit and corn meal works as well...

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I was told to use dried oatmeal for ants they take it back to the queen and she explodes so far its worked and they have not came back.

That's impossible since adult ants cant swallow large particles of food

Most likely you just disturbed them enough that they moved

http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/ants/argentine/index.html

Workers forage for food and chew it. The food substance is given to the larvae. They digest and regurgitate it for the adults. This must happen because the adults have a very thin esophagus and cannot swallow large particles of food​

 

[tinychicky]

oh red ants are nasty! i'd suggest using the sugar/water/borax mixture. you just have to keep the hens away from it for a while.