How to get rid of ants in and around my coop and run.

[SecretHavenFarm]

Now that its summer time in southern CA, the dang ants are out and looking for food and water. I have to fight these things every summer soming into my house and such. But now they are invadeing my chicken coop. I keep everything as clean as posable. But they come in for the water. I have hens sitting in the coops so I cant not have water and food in there.

So my question is, does anyone know of something that is safe to use around my coop and run to get rid of these things??

 

[shellybean40]

I think Diatemaceous Earth (sp?) will help control them and as long as it is food grade, it is safe for you chickens.

 

[RL]

You can use Seven 5% under the bedding of the coop and even around the coop, it safe for chickens. I use it and it works well. I have never had any luck with DE and ants. I have also found Orange Oil will kill them also. I mix a few cap fulls in a gallon of water or spayer and soak the mound or spray on the ants. You could also get a few Guineas they eat ants like crazzy.

 

[featherz]

I have food grade DE in the sand in the run and in the pine shavings in the coop. And I still have ants.

So I think the sevin dust may be the answer for me IF they annoy me too much.

 

[Break an Egg]

cornmeal, they will eat it, but they can't digest it. It will blow them up, w/o using chemicals.

 

[Jkioneil]

perpermint oil in a line around the coop they wont cross the line.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Holy crap. I feel your pain. Last year when my hen was sitting they were all up UNDER her nest box and even around the eggs and such. I was so mad. I tried to keep it as clean as possible too.

 

[LAURA7A]

i am having the same problem, they are all in the pen a coop hiding under the water feeder

 

[bigoledude]

So my question is, does anyone know of something that is safe to use around my coop and run to get rid of these things??

You say AROUND your coop and run. Ortho has a product called Orthene that kills ants like crazy. The active ingredient is "acephate". There are several companies now producing "acephate" now that the patent has expired. It completely disappears after 7 days. It would be necessary to either apply it AROUND the coop and run or move your birds for 7 days if you apply it inside the coop and run.

The ants walk through the powder and carry some back into the nests killing the queen and all other ants in there. Just apply it where they must travel through the powder to get inside. Fire ants here in Louisiana are a terrible problem. This product has been very effective in keeping ants off of my animals and grandchildren.

 

[Grouseru]

Is seven safe for all pets? I thought that was pretty hardcore stuff.