ducks eating soapy dead bugs

[lotsofloveforchickens]

I have beetles that get into my ducks pen. I heard spraying them with dawn dish soap and water can kill them without spraying poison. if my duck should eat a dead beetle that was sprayed by the dish soap and water could it make him sick.

 

[blakeee]

Why not just leave them for the ducks to eat without spraying?

 

[CayugaJana]

I doubt it will do much too them. It might give them the runs if they eat a lot but who am I kidding. They always have runny poop. I’m with blakee, keep them alive. It’s more fun for them to eat with no toxins.

 

[CarleeAnn]

I believe dish soap would only work on soft bodied insects (I.e. aphids, caterpillars, mites, etc.). If beetles are your problem dish soap probably won’t penetrate their hard exoskeleton- just let the ducks have at ‘em!

 

[lotsofloveforchickens]

Why not just leave them for the ducks to eat without spraying?

the beetles only come out at night when my ducks are in there kennel for the night for safe keeping. the beetles start multiplying and if left alone there will be hundreds. any thoughts

 

[lotsofloveforchickens]

I believe dish soap would only work on soft bodied insects (I.e. aphids, caterpillars, mites, etc.). If beetles are your problem dish soap probably won’t penetrate their hard exoskeleton- just let the ducks have at ‘em!

I have sprayed them in the yard away from the ducks and it works. just wanted to get rid of the beetles without hurting the ducks. the beetles only come out after the ducks are up for the night

 

[CarleeAnn]

I have sprayed them in the yard away from the ducks and it works. just wanted to get rid of the beetles without hurting the ducks. the beetles only come out after the ducks are up for the night

Maybe sticky paper?

 

[Khota]

Bugs are pretty dumb and seem to be suckers for sweet stuff.
As CarleeAnn said, maybe squirt some syrup or honey on a paper bag to make some sticky paper and leave it on the ground for them to trap themselves in? Might catch some other bugs too though...

 

[CayugaJana]

the beetles only come out at night when my ducks are in there kennel for the night for safe keeping. the beetles start multiplying and if left alone there will be hundreds. any thoughts

Can the ducks go night hunting a couple times? You’d be surprised how many they can get!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I don't know about ducks for sure. . but I know soap is very toxic to caged birds. . so I would be cautious considering the soap probably won't even kill the bugs anyway.