Any ideas how to get rid of fire ants? they won't let my chicks hatch!

[stephross]

this is not good news. I have just started to see fire ants. Wouldn't a good size flock eat the ants and chase them away?

I thought so! I have 9 hens but they don't seem to get close to fire ants at all! and my hen that was sitting on the eggs focused on saving the chick that was a day old instead of the hatching one and still got the area around the eye biten!

 

[stephross]

Thank you for the reply and suggestions Sonya! I did move her as soon as possible to inside the house and found her a safe box with newly placed wood shavings for her to nest,she had been under so much stress I felt so guilty.She will be kept inside until the rest of the chickens hatch and in the meantime I will find a way to fumigate the coop.I don't worry about the others as they seem to be able to take care of themselves but the broody hen wasn't able to get out of her box as a net was placed on top so she wouldn't be bothered.Hopefully what I got to spray around in the coop will get rid of those mean ants!

Can you move the nest to a stand alone brooder/dog crate and set the legs in dishes of water to keep the ants from crawling up into it? Better yet move it into the house or garage where no fireants exist? If they must stay in the coop I think you are going to need a physical barrier (like setting the brooder legs in dishes of water/oil, or even vaseline around the legs of a stand alone brooder) to keep the ants from crossing over.

I have been using boiling water to get fireant mounds out of the coop, I tried molassis and it didn't work at all, but boiling water gets them to move the mound a couple of days later. Course in this case you need to protect against individual ants.

Personally I say get those babies and their momma into a safe area away from the coop until they are strong enough OR think of a way to prevent the ants from physically approaching the nest.

 

[komakit]

Dawn and water on the nest. It takes some time and effort but it works by breaking down the surface tention of the water. Eggs and adult alike drown. It works for me in Florida.

 

[chickalicia]

My story of drowning those things a out is a true story. I would try that if baby powder can't b used. Thing w that and other topical yes baby powder will work but they move over once n while their gone. The water I found where they wer comn out. Had water full blast w nozzle. Pushed and prodded hoes down where ants hole was until it wouldn't go anymore. I watched n distance and they floated on out kept it going or moved hoes around more until I did see those rice looking eggs. Individual or clumped I guaranteed it will work. May have to do twice if didn't get all egg area washed out. Watch your feet too