Help! Coop visitors

[schnike]

I've had my coop for a few years and it's been doing well. I dust with DE every few months sometimes more. With the drought and heat here in central CA the coop and run are being over run by ants (as well as pretty much our whole property) and now I've noticed a ton of stink bugs invading the run and coop at night. What can I do? The ants are even in the nesting boxes today

 

[mightymax]

I'm not certain exactly where in central CA you are located, but I will say that on the central coast of CA (where I live), anytime the weather is hot and then turns gloomy for a few days, the ants come out in full force. I've had professionals out to spray for them and I've used various products in an effort to achieve victory in this yearly uphill battle. So, I too, would be interested in what people use and how they go about using it so that it's effective yet safe to be near our chickens.

 

[Mehjr10]

Try this out.. http://www.amazon.com/Monterey-LG61...05663531&sr=8-1&keywords=spinosad+insecticide It will not be the bottle with the sprayer.. You will have to mix it and it is light sensitive so don't mix a bottle and leave in the sun..

Works on Mites and lice, and fleas on cats or dogs.. Same ingredient that is in comfortis.. Does wonders in the garden.

Product is in a propylene glycol suspension so very safe to use. In my experience.

 

[CHICKLOVER69]

CANT REMEMBER WHERE I SEEN IT, MAYBE FACEBOOK OR PINTEREST. THINK IT SAID TO PUT SUGAR AND BORAX MIXED TOGETHER ON A PLATE OUTSIDE THE COOP. THE ANTS WOULD EAT IT AND DIE. HAVE TO RESEARCH FOR EXACT INGREDIENTS BUT SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. BORAX AS IN LAUNDRY SOAP, NOT BORIC ACID. BORIC ACID IS POISON AND WOULD KILL PETS.

 

[CHICKLOVER69]

FOUND IT. ONE CUP HONEY, ONE CUP SUGAR, AND ONE CUP BORAX. PUT IN A MASON JAR AND MICROWAVE TILL MELTED. STIR WELL AND PLACE BY THE COOP BUT NOT TOO CLOSE. ANTS WILL BE DDROWN TO IT. THE WILL EAT IT AND DIE. PLAIN BORAX CAN ALSO BE SET OUT. THEY WILL TAKE IT BACK TO THE NEST WHERE IT IS EATEN AND DEATH FOLLOWS. BORAX ALSO KILLS FLEAS. GOT SOME IN THE HOUSE FROM THE DOGS. JUST SPRINKLED ON THE CARPET, LET SIT 24 HOURS, THEN VACUUM. NO MORE FLEAS