Pest control and chickens

[Chickaducy]

Can we get a pic of the bugs?

 

[Chickaducy]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. Glad to have you here in this poultry loving community. The only insecticide I know of used in chicken coops is Permethrin. https://www.chewy.com/martins-permethrin-133-concentrate/dp/371726?utm_id=470553216

Permethrin sounds like a possible help. Since it kills bees as well (spraying on plants), it will be my last option. Definitely will get some for the coop though. Thanks

 

[N F C]

@Chickaducy have you considered guinea fowl for bug control? They're known to be voracious bug eaters (including grasshoppers from what I've read). You wouldn't have to worry about chemicals with them.

 

[Chickaducy]

Sevin is not organic. It is in the Carbamate class of insecticides. At one time Sevin was approved to kill fleas on adult dogs. Sevin has a very short half life. Apply it late afternoon after bees have left for the day and it will not harm them the next. When it is first applied it is lethal to a broad spectrum of insects. One of the safest pesticides that I know of. Are the grasshoppers just in lawn grass or have they invaded your garden?

not a lot in the garden as I'm planing much of it late, but they're there. Most of my concern is my elderberries, destroying them. Can I put Permethrin on late in the eve like Sevin and not kill bees

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yup, that's def a grasshopper, not a locust. Thanks for the pic. @WannaBeHillBilly has a tale to tell about their ducks going nuts eating grasshoppers a couple years ago! Apparently they are irresistably delicious, at least to ducks. Hey, Wannabe, can you link your grasshopper tale here? I will never forget that story ...

 

[Chickaducy]

@Chickaducy have you considered guinea fowl for bug control? They're known to be voracious bug eaters (including grasshoppers from what I've read). You wouldn't have to worry about chemicals with them.

nice idea to consider, not real sure how I will house them though. thanks

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Grasshoppers are free chicken food. I would recommend simply letting your chickens eat them instead of poisoning the land. Get some game chickens if you need more efficient pest control

My own chickens keep all bugs under control and no predator can catch them

 

[Chickaducy]

Grasshoppers are free chicken food. I would recommend simply letting your chickens eat them instead of poisoning the land. Get some game chickens if you need more efficient pest control

My own chickens keep all bugs under control and no predator can catch them

Game chickens? Do they play chess? Just a little levity
What are considered game hens? Or I can just research

 

[Debbie292d]

not a lot in the garden as I'm planing much of it late, but they're there. Most of my concern is my elderberries, destroying them. Can I put Permethrin on late in the eve like Sevin and not kill bees

Yes, as @LTAY1946 explained you can apply it later as it doesn't have a long life. Do you have hives or just mean bees in general? When we had hives, they'd cluster to it just before dusk, and were in hives by dusk.

 

[Chickaducy]

Yes, as @LTAY1946 explained you can apply it later as it doesn't have a long life. Do you have hives or just mean bees in general? When we had hives, they'd cluster to it just before dusk, and were in hives by dusk.

No (I wish), just bees in general