Scratch infested with bugs

[puddinbabe]

I noticed my scratch is infested with these small black bugs (with what look like a long nose) a few days ago. I thought, I'll put some DE in there, mix it around, and get rid of them. Well, they're still there and multiplying. I can hear them in the bag crawling around. I don't think the chickens mind, but I do. They haven't spread to the Layena yet, but I'm not sure why. I keep my food, scratch, and DE in a large plastic closed bin. Should I get rid of the scratch or not worry about it? Why isn't the DE killing the bugs? Ideas?

Thanks for any advice!
Annie

 

[Windy Ridge]

DE may not be good for things that have very thick chitin, maybe. Are the bugs large?

I'd be worried that it would infest something else (and a little grossed out!), but, really you might be able to regard it as more protein for the chickens as long as you can stand it.

 

[nu2chixinmo]

OK I had the same thing happen with my scratch, I just figured some bugs, yummy for the girls. Should we be worried?????
Thanks,
Nichole

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I think you're talking about the same thing I've seen in our scratch grains I think I've got them too. I never paid it much attentionFor some reason the first thing that came to my mind after reading your post was weevil so I did an image search:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=...n&resnum=0&q=weevil&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

I think that's what mine look like, what about yours?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weevil


What part of the country are you in?

 

[Chatychick]

Sounds like weevils to me and they are really hard to kill. I have had some like that too and just put DE in it really good , it didnt spread to my other feed but I kept it closed and when the bag was empty I burned the bag just to make sure. My chickens didnt seem to mind either as it was extra bugs for them ...sort of a treat...lol...also with cold weather comming soon it will take care of them when the freezes get here .

 

[nu2chixinmo]

I think thats what they are. So, no need to worry right, just extra protein for the girls?????
I live in Central Missouri, and noticed them a few weeks ago. They are not in any of my other feed, just the scratch. hmmhmmmmmm

It says for the wheat weevil, it may be stopped with some garlic. I hope they are talking about putting whole cloves in the bag?????

 

[panner123]

They WILL NOT hurt your chickens. The chickens most likely eat them before they eat the scartch.

 

[Wolfpacker]

I had them in mine, and I've been feeding it to the girls. I have been keeping it separate from my other feed tho.