Termite treatment and chickens

[m1marin]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of situation?

My neighbor just let us know that they will be treating their garage for termites and dry rot. The structure is directly against the chain link fence between their property and our hens' run. They will be drilling holes in the ground and injecting Termidor SC (Fipronil) and I think spraying the siding with Tim-Bor (Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate). He's got termites so I totally understand that they need to be treated. Plus he was kind enough to give us plenty of advance notice.

I've searched the Google and couldn't find any definitive information about health risks to poultry. I was thinking about putting up plastic sheeting all along the fence to minimize any exposure while they are applying the pesticides. However I can't find any information about lingering impacts if any.

Any experience you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[centrarchid]

Based on experience with chickens and pesticide applications, I suggest you keep chickens from accessing immediate vicinity for at least a few days. To speed decomposition thus reducing insect carcass availability to chickens, I would wet area where dead insects might collect. I have had two chicken deaths I attribute to direct consumption of insects killed by pesticides. Applicator indicated pesticides rotated periodically and it is likely more than one chemical caused problems.

Just yesterday we lost a valuable pet bird to what we suspect was an application of a granule herbicide the rooster consumed directly. He passed within 12 hours of exposure. Termite control as I understand it very targeted and likely not to be dispersed away from wood termites live and feed on.

 

[April’s Zoo]

There’s a “for further info call...” phone number listed for the dept. of Agriculture on the notice that you included in your post. Call them and ask what you need to do— if anything.

The spray you said they’re using is a borate-based insecticide, and is almost certainly non-toxic once it has dried. The standard warnings for most spray pesticides in use today are to exclude animals and children until it has dried.

But again calling the number given for Agriculture is the best way to be sure your animals stay safe.

 

[centrarchid]

A mix applied in my lab reputed not to be toxic to anything but insects and spiders still kills amphibians and reptiles coming into direct contact with application area and songbirds consuming the insect bodies die shortly afterwords. This is a month after application so dry.

 

[April’s Zoo]

If they consume the poison (by eating the insects that have been killed by it) then yes it could be toxic.
Fortunately, the termites are gonna die inside walls and tunnels that are almost certainly inaccessible to the chickens next door.

I was only referring to direct exposure to the pesticide.... not secondary ingestion.

Again, the best way to determine what steps should be taken by the OP to keep their birds safe, is to call the number on the notice, and get information from agriculture experts.

 

[Folly's place]

I'd keep the birds away from the area as long as possible. Call that Ag. number too. Having your birds avoid the products and dead/dying insects is important, both to keep them from illness, and to keep their eggs from containing any amount of either product.
Termites are not helpful and must be treated, but protect your chickens!
Look up the MSDS sheets on the products being used!
Mary