Chicken-safe ant repellant?

[horselover98]

Hi, we have been noticing a bunch of ants and ant hills around our yard. We also have free ranging chickens and do not want to use sprays and such if they'll harm our birds. Anyone have any ideas for some safe repellent? Thanks

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Coffee grounds! When I lived in Venezuela, many years ago, we would save our coffee grounds and spread them around the outside of the house. This kept ants from coming inside.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

BOILING WATER!!! Get a good kettle or pot-full and pour it around & on the ant hills! Just be careful that you don't splash it on your legs or feet.

I've also used the 5% Sevin Dust to sprinkle over & around really stubborn populations of ants. It kills the ants and doesn't hurt the chickens, it's the same stuff I use directly on them to rid them of mites. Be sure to sprinkle it low to the ground, so that it doesn't drift over to flowering plants and hurt the beneficial pollinators.

 

[horselover98]

Oooh I will have to try both of those, thanks! the ant hills are just EVERYWHERE and they are so big! I know there are many 'remedies' i am just wondering which ones work the best!

 

[zazouse]

I use dish soap and water on the mounds works very well here.

 

[Amigo]

Quote:
Coffee hurts chickens.

We have had no experience of ants hurting chickens, unless we had a sick hen, I would say just don't worry.

By the way the chickens get rid of ant hills.

 

[ECBW]

Stick chickens on the ants. Have you try it? Some of my birds eat them.

 

[horselover98]

Thanks everyone for your replies

The ants won't hurt the chickens but ants are kind of a pest for us

We will have to just let the chickens get rid of them or we'll try a remedy.

thanks again -horselover98

 

[7L Farm]

I've used food grade DE. It usually takes a few applications.

 

[redjess1984]

We have fire ants here and they can actually kill a chicken they are horrible !! We have tried everything, boiling water, fire, ant killer and no luck so far. I hope our ants just stay away from our chickens!