Permethrin in the run

[mldlm]

Is it possible to spray the ground in my sand chicken run While the girls are in there? I have a lot of those tiny red ants and have tried DE, but that did nothing to the ants. I would like to spray the ground in the run with permethrin, but not sure if that is safe for my chickens. Input, please.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

yes, permethrin will kill ants. However, permethrin breaks down in sunlight, in the presence of certain soil bacteria, and other conditions which makes it quite variable as to how long it will last on your property. It is, of course, dangerous to cats and fish, and is not recommended where run off from rain, etc can carry it to nearby bodies of water.

I like the stuff, don't get me wrong - and they do make both permethrin dust and permethrin granules specfically for ant control - but its not as effective when used in that fashion, unfortunately.