Demon Ant Control

[CabritaChicks]

In the Caribbean, ants are relentless. Unlike their North American counterparts, some species here—often called Crazy Ants—form aggressive, fast-moving swarms. The moment an opportunity arises, they descend in overwhelming numbers. For example, if a rat is caught in a snap trap, within minutes, these ants will cover the entire carcass. Similarly, a single tablespoon of peanut butter left on the patio disappears entirely within the hour.

Stepping outside for even ten seconds in the garden often means ants crawling on you- even in the lemongrass. While some people mistakenly refer to them as "sugar ants," these are a different species—smaller, more aggressive, and prone to massive swarming. I just took my chicks outside for a walk, and they eagerly ate a few of these ants.

However, this got me thinking: I’m worried that the swarms will devour their feed before they get a chance to eat. Since I'm pasture-raising them—giving them free range of the beach and forest—anything I put down risks being consumed by ants in seconds or just being a 'ick' factor.

I know there are some 'pest professionals' on this forum that have chickens...
Any suggestions for when the chickens are eventually in the coop ?? They say ants dont like citrus but lemongrass doesnt seem to deter them? ugh.

 

[Debbie292d]

We have ants here, some are called sugar ants, in that if you spill sugar on the floor and don't clean it up, here come those little buggers.

The usual ones though make ant hills in our yard, and on occasion, will start coming into our home. I don't know if you have this there, but I go around the house sprinkling diatomaceous earth (DE) and that kills them. No more in the house. It's safe should chickens start pecking in the area too.

If they continue being a problem and it's rained, I redo it.

If you do not have DE where you are, I'd go into your nearest garden center or farm store and ask them what they've got that kills ants. See if it's safe for chickens though. If not, at least maybe you could use that in areas where the chickens can't go so you could cut down the population of them.

 

[CabritaChicks]

We have ants here, some are called sugar ants, in that if you spill sugar on the floor and don't clean it up, here come those little buggers.

The usual ones though make ant hills in our yard, and on occasion, will start coming into our home. I don't know if you have this there, but I go around the house sprinkling diatomaceous earth (DE) and that kills them. No more in the house. It's safe should chickens start pecking in the area too.

If they continue being a problem and it's rained, I redo it.

If you do not have DE where you are, I'd go into your nearest garden center or farm store and ask them what they've got that kills ants. See if it's safe for chickens though. If not, at least maybe you could use that in areas where the chickens can't go so you could cut down the population of them.

Thanks for the reply!
These are not sugar ants- they actually attack and bite. I can see if I can order DE. I wonder if I can....our island has 10,000 people (only a couple miles wide/long), so stores here dont carry much, and we have oodles of restrictions- LOL.

Here is our farm store, 900 square feet.

 

[Debbie292d]

Thanks for the reply!
These are not sugar ants- they actually attack and bite. I can see if I can order DE. I wonder if I can....our island has 10,000 people (only a couple miles wide/long), so stores here dont carry much, and we have oodles of restrictions- LOL.

Here is our farm store, 900 square feet.

If Amazon, Chewy, or Walmart, etc. ship to you, they all have it.

 

[CabritaChicks]

If Amazon, Chewy, or Walmart, etc. ship to you, they all have it.

Walmart- Ordered. It gets here in a month.
But it says it only works when dry? it rains here a couple times a day.

and there is no 'population control'.... if there was, the fancy hotels could figure it out. Like the Ritz or the Westin here- but nope. We just attempt to coexist. I just worry my feed is going to look more like a ant nest than chicken feed.

 

[Debbie292d]

Walmart- Ordered. It gets here in a month.
But it says it only works when dry? it rains here a couple times a day.

and there is no 'population control'.... if there was, the fancy hotels could figure it out. Like the Ritz or the Westin here- but nope. We just attempt to coexist. I just worry my feed is going to look more like a ant nest than chicken feed.

It's safe for chickens. Most chicken feed actually has a small amount in it to kill off any grain mites. I'd sprinkle it everywhere in the coop and you'll see a definite difference within a few hours, and a day later they should be gone except those coming in to die too.

Outdoors, yes, if it gets wet, it can't work the same, so after it dries, it works again, or I've reapplied it if it washed away. Try put it where the rain doesn't hit. Enough areas like that would also take a toll on them.

 

[AntiqueB]

Would some sort of moat stop them? Maybe put the feed on its own little island?

 

[CabritaChicks]

OMG! never thought of that! YES. Chickens can play in it, I can plant fodder in the middle and ooooohhhhhh jeez. The plans I am making in my head.

 

[theoldchick]

Got ants? This will be your best friend. Follow label instructions!

 

[nuthatched]

Given you live in a humidity and rainy environment, Diotomaeceous Earth won't work at all, since it barely works in dry environments.
It's also not safe for you or your birds to breathe.
What pesticides are allowed there?