Chicken boarders

[Donnie]

Hi all, still new here but getting these chickens and eglu has forced me to sort out the back yard!!

 

Rebuilt the rear gate, sorted out both sheds, sorted all the mad ivy on the 6 foot fence, etc etc!!

Im exhausted.

 

There is one largish job remaining, the compost heaps of which we have 2 bins, unfortunately, while the compost looks nicely broken down when i looked closer it would appear that both have been invaded by ants! And I mean properly, also found a smaller nest under one of the patio slabs!

 

So, here's the problem, how to kill the little beggars without putting my new chooks and the dog at risk?

 

Anyone got any suggestions?

[LuckyChickenLover-]

I've done a bit of research and I read that vinegar will repel the ants without harming your pets. Also, for some reason, if you draw a white line out of chalk the ants will not cross over it. I don't how well these both work but they're worth a try I also read that black or cayenne pepper will get rid of ants but I don't know how well your pets will react to this as it's very strong.

[littlehenny]

I don't know how practical this is, but a kettle full of boiling water poured directly over the nest will kill them instantly. Obviously keep chooks out of the way while you do this, or they end up with burnt feet!!

[sjp]

http://www.battles.co.uk/products/006/poultry-smallholdings/209/battles-poultry/-/-/3251/battles-poultry-louse-powder/ I used this around the run last year when I had an ant run around it and a nest under the slabs near by

[Egluntyne]

A pyrethrum based ant powder shouldn't harm the chickens.

 

Many folk use pyrethrum on the chickens to deter parasites, although it is *not licensed for use on Poultry in UK.

[Redwing]

I use B&Q value ant powder around areas where hens also run and peck around, no problems so far

[xScrunchee]

Why does everyone want to kill ants?

[Snowy]

If you really need to get rid of them, diatomaceous earth works well.

[abwsco]

Mine like eating ants

[Donnie]

Why does everyone want to kill ants?

 

Just dont like them and don't want the little beggars in the house or biting me

 

Another forum im on suggests leaving them and letting the chickens at them so Im thinking if I disturb the heaps and point the chickens in the right direction maybe they will eat them up as abwsco says:-)

 

I think I will try that first, not sure about the ones under the slab though Ill have to make sure at least one chicken is nearby when i lift it i guess.

[foreveryoung]

i was gonna ask the same thing "why does any everyone want to kill the ants"unless they are in the house i normally leave them as i think the gardens their area (chocks normally get them)

 

but n e way, boiled waters normally works or disterb the nest and they normally take it elsewherre

[bronze]

I was going to suggest setting the chickens on them

[Donnie]

Well, ive moved the compost bin and left the compost there for them and all 3 are having a go

 

One even found a huge nice slimy green slug and legged it up the garden with the others chasing it!