fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

I need to start securing the tarp/shade cloth to the coop.

I have the lumber and the shade cloth.

I bought the bolts, washers, and nuts this morning.

But my ambition/energy isn't there, or here. Or wherever.

I think the heat has finally gotten to me, big time. Or maybe it's the 10 1/2 hour days I worked this week?


I also need to figure out how to fit the shade cloth over the hoop coop end...NEATLY. It's like trying to fold a fitted sheet!

 

[fuzzi]

There's a slightly cooler breeze picking up, nice.

I took some overripe and partly frozen pieces of watermelon out to the coop.

They were appreciated by the chick(en)s, especially the seeds, which always get eaten first!

Joel decided to keep an eye on me...

Hmm, not high enough, how about the top of the roost? Eye-level with the giver of treats!

At this point I told Joel that he was quite a handsome guy, and was doing a wonderful job.

He seemed to appreciate the compliments.

And the girls are gearing up, there were FOUR eggs in the nests!

 

[fuzzi]

Two eggs today...slackers.

All nine in this photo, going bonkers over mower clippings!

 

[fuzzi]

I was going to work some on securing the shade cloth today, didn't happen. I had a situation that I have never experienced before, that needed my immediate attention.

Fire ants have invaded my bedroom.

Apparently this sometimes happens when it's been extra hot, or dry, or when there's been a deluge of rain. Thanks for the info, internet.

I lay out my outside work clothes so I can throw them on after I get home from work or church. After church today I got changed, and immediately ants started stinging me on my torso! They were inside my clothes.

There's no food, nothing to attract them. Perhaps they're just exploring, maybe they want to sublet?

I killed a bunch, sprayed what I could with white vinegar, but they came back. Then I recalled reading a tip from Heloise, from a book I read when I was living at home with my mom... Heloise wrote that ants don't like talcum powder. And guess what? I had some stored away for future needs. I retrieved a bottle, and sprinkled it where the ants had been.

When I checked back a little later the ants hadn't returned. I'll assume they really DON'T like talcum powder.

I can't live like this, so I've ordered fire ant killer granules to sprinkle around the house and yard, especially by the HVAC where they're probably living, beneath my bedroom window. The ants take the bait to the queen and feed her. She dies. Regicide. Good.

I can't help but wonder what if the ants decided to invade the coop area, what they might do to my chickens!

 

[NanaK]

Thanks for the info about talc. Good to know. Sometimes I see a couple little black ants around my back door when we get a lot of rain.

I have a fire ant hill out in the yard down by the garden. Got to take care of it tomorrow. They are a pain!

 

[lightm]

I was going to work some on securing the shade cloth today, didn't happen. I had a situation that I have never experienced before, that needed my immediate attention.

Fire ants have invaded my bedroom.

Apparently this sometimes happens when it's been extra hot, or dry, or when there's been a deluge of rain. Thanks for the info, internet.

I lay out my outside work clothes so I can throw them on after I get home from work or church. After church today I got changed, and immediately ants started stinging me on my torso! They were inside my clothes.

There's no food, nothing to attract them. Perhaps they're just exploring, maybe they want to sublet?

I killed a bunch, sprayed what I could with white vinegar, but they came back. Then I recalled reading a tip from Heloise, from a book I read when I was living at home with my mom... Heloise wrote that ants don't like talcum powder. And guess what? I had some stored away for future needs. I retrieved a bottle, and sprinkled it where the ants had been.

When I checked back a little later the ants hadn't returned. I'll assume they really DON'T like talcum powder.

I can't live like this, so I've ordered fire ant killer granules to sprinkle around the house and yard, especially by the HVAC where they're probably living, beneath my bedroom window. The ants take the bait to the queen and feed her. She dies. Regicide. Good.

I can't help but wonder what if the ants decided to invade the coop area, what they might do to my chickens!

Sorry about your fire ants

NC is a great state but I never have to deal with so many bugs before I moved here...

For chickens, maybe sprinkle some DE in your coop? Really don't know if it will help with fire ants control though.

 

[fuzzi]

Thanks for the info about talc. Good to know. Sometimes I see a couple little black ants around my back door when we get a lot of rain.

I have a fire ant hill out in the yard down by the garden. Got to take care of it tomorrow. They are a pain!

This is the worst year for fire ants in the 23 years I've lived in NC. They invaded my bird feeders, and made a nest in an open bag of sunflower seeds I had stored outside in a metal trash can. I had to dump it all.

Earlier this week I found them in my bed, and then today they infested clothes!

I'm going to try something called the "Texas Two-step". It won't eradicate the ants, but should get them under control:

https://fireant.tamu.edu/controlmethods/twostep/

 

[NanaK]

I have read fire ants will make a nest in between studs inside of walls of a home. I try to remember to treat around the foundation of our house and barns with permethrin granules each year. I use the dust or spray around the outside of the chicken run. I don't want the birds to find and eat the granules.

I also see carpenter ants. Their bite is painful then the awful itching begins. They will get in old wood. They destroyed the wood in a raised bed so I replaced the wood with concrete edging. Took me a while.

Our land is partially wooded. I guess it will always be a battle.

When doing coop chores, yard and garden work I wear Sloggers' short boots. I've found ants or ticks don't climb them easily. I had Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever a few years ago. So I now am very aware what a little tick can do to you. I was sick for a month.

 

[fuzzi]

I'm still waiting for the fire ant remedy to arrive.

A new mound popped up overnight by the steps. I poured a whole kettle of boiling water on it.

They'll just move their digs elsewhere.

 

[fuzzi]

Three eggs today!