insecticide question

[kimismurf]

I have termites in my coop. We just built the coop on the back of the shed and the shed has termites. I had thought that the chickens would eat them, and they are, but I now realize this isn't a cure. I want to treat but don't want to hurt my chickens. Is it okay for me to spray outside the coop area (pic below)? Should I do this at night after I have put the chickens in or while they are in the pen? I don't want to let them free range during this time because I don't want them eating where I am spraying which is around the house and coop building.

 

[Folly's place]

Permethrin is approved for use around chickens; carbaryl is also used off label for chicken parasites. I've never had to treat for termites (fortunately!) so maybe find out if either product will work for them. You can dust the floor of the coop under the shavings, and spray the base and walls while they are out of the coop area. Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

I’ve had termites in the house. What a pain. They can do some serious damage but at least you should not have the Formosa like on the Gulf Coast. Those things don’t take long to be real destructive.

You can always hire a professional to treat them. They should know what can or cannot be used around chickens or other animals. They should. But some are more professional than others. I’d want to chat with them enough to satisfy myself they really understand about the animals like chickens.

In your situation I’d probably call my extension agent, in the phone book under county government or fine contact information online. The agent probably won’t know personally but they should line you up with someone who does. That someone will probably be associated with your land grant university, maybe a professor. I think in North Carolina you may have more than one land grant university.

They should be able to tell you how to treat the termites and what you need to do about the chickens. Since a chicken’s respiratory system is really delicate I’d want to know about any special precautions for that. I’d also ask if there is any withdrawal period before you can eat the eggs or butcher them.

Good luck. Those things aren’t any fun.