How to prevent ants?

[PetDuck]

I put my duck food outside for my duck and within 20 minutes it's covered in ants!
I wanted to know if the are any ant prevention remidies?
That are safe for ducks?
And can be lined around the outside of his pen?
They can be commercial or homemade.

 

[Marty1876]

I can tell you how to keep ants out of the duck food, but I'm not up to the whole yard task.

If you put a container of water under the duck food, then put a legged food continer inside it, leaving a tiny space between, so that the ants can't reach the food (they won't swim), and your duck can't reach the water (or he'll drink it and you'll have ants again). Think double boiler, nix the hot water.

 

[PetDuck]

Would baking soda work?
Is that safe for ducks?

 

[PetDuck]

I can tell you how to keep ants out of the duck food, but I'm not up to the whole yard task.

If you put a container of water under the duck food, then put a legged food continer inside it, leaving a tiny space between, so that the ants can't reach the food (they won't swim), and your duck can't reach the water (or he'll drink it and you'll have ants again). Think double boiler, nix the hot water.

Thats what my dad recomended.
I will try that if other remidies don't work.
Thanks!

 

[Marty1876]

For the yard, I guess theirs always a moat! LOL

I gues borax (a flake soap) in a line 1/2" accross will keep them from crossing over it, but they may go under. They are uneffected by electric lines. I guess you might keep button quail with your duck. They would eat the ants, and likely discourage them completely. So may guineas or a banty chicken. You can go put ant bait poison by the nests, but it will be on ongoing thing. (the bait is safely contained) There may be pesticides, but bad for you and your duck alike.

 

[PetDuck]

Is Borax okay for ducks?
A quail is not really an option for my but thanks!
I only want to put Borax on the outside of his pen but I just want to be safe just incase he gets some!

 

[Marty1876]

Is Borax okay for ducks?
A quail is not really an option for my but thanks!
I only want to put Borax on the outside of his pen but I just want to be safe just incase he gets some!

He won't like the taste, I'd think. I don't believe it to be dangerous, but perhaps youd prefer that other powder (like borax) that is harmlous to us, but is used for ants, spiders, and roaches as they get tiny bits in their mouth and digestive track, and die since they can't burp. (no kidding) I would also stick to the outside of the pen.