Roaches?

[hollieben]

I need help. We live in the south and in the country. Lately I have discovered that every time I lift the hatch to the nesting box, roaches will scatter. I HATE these little buggers and want with all of me to blast them with insecticides and bug bombs. Now obviously, that would be harmful to the chickens and probably useless , as we are in the country. Their coop is surrounded by woods on 3 sides. How do I control this? Is there something natural I can do to repel them? Can I clean out and bug bomb the coop during the day safely while they are out free ranging? My chickens are just a few weeks from laying and the thought of roaches on my eggs just creeps me out. Has anyone experienced this? How do I get rid of them? I'm terrified that I'm helping grow the disgusting population and eventually they'll make it into my house. HELP!!!!

 

[6of6chicks]

Don't do poisons. You'll always be paranoid later on that there's residue in your coop and eggs.

Your chickens don't eat the roaches? Anyway, found this old thread that might be helpful:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/544561/how-can-i-get-rid-of-roaches

Good luck!

 

[hollieben]

Thanks for the link! My chickens free range in my yard all day long. They really only go in their coop to sleep, drink, and hopefully lay eggs So they are sleeping when the roaches come out at night.

I will try some of the advice from the link. Thanks again

 

[ChickenPapaCT]

I have never tried this, but how about soda bottle traps?

You make them like so (credit wikiHow):

I put a layer of tape around the cut-edge of my version because I am paranoid that I might drop it and release the little buggers prematurely.

Place the bottle touching a wall (so they can can reach and crawl into the trap).

I would make 4 of them and bait them with:
1) Plain water
2) Water and a tablespoon of dish soap
3) Sugar-water
4) Soda

I have heard that bait #1 works in dry areas, #2 works everywhere, #3 and #4 are my idea. Seems like they would like them from my experience...

The traps are cheap (some soda can be gotten for $0.99) and you get to drink the soda!
Also, if your chickens get into them are gonna die.

If they don't work, it was like a $4 investment (and you got to drink the soda).

Happy Hunting!