Pest Control

[demiyu]

Hello,

I’m a first time chicken owner and I’ve had my chickens for about 1.5 years now. I had been using Dewey Pest Control since prior to getting my chickens, and when I first started using them, they assured me that their service is safe for dogs and humans. It just occurred to me that it may not be safe for the chickens. The pest control guy sees our chickens and have never mentioned otherwise to me, but does anyone know if pest control is safe for backyard chickens? Our chickens seem very healthy and don’t seem to be affected by the pesticides.

Another big concern is that even if the chickens aren’t negatively affected by the pesticides, could the pesticides pass through to their eggs, which we consume? And therefore affect us as we are consuming their eggs and possibly pesticides?

 

[Timothy Menezes]

Totally depends on what chemicals he/she is applying, where they are being applied, and if your chickens are ingesting any of it.

I would start by asking the pest control person what they are using, and if it's in areas that your chickens have access too.

 

[paneubert]

Totally depends on what chemicals he/she is applying, where they are being applied, and if your chickens are ingesting any of it.

I would start by asking the pest control person what they are using, and if it's in areas that your chickens have access too.

Very true. When we had a pest control contract for a year of visits related to a carpenter ant nest in our (recently purchased) house (don't get me started about how sucky it is to find that right after buying a house), I just asked them to not spray near the quail aviary when they were applying their "all around the exterior walls of the house at ground level" ant poison. So the risk to the chickens is really going to depend on what they are spraying, where they are spraying it, and what they are trying to kill. For example, I know some people have their entire yards sprayed for mosquitoes and stuff. I would not think letting chickens free range in that grass after application would be a wise choice.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have pest control service as well and have them specifically treating for ants (granules) and mice/rats (bait boxes) The chickens don't have any access to the areas that are treated.

We did have to have them spray a wasp nest a couple years ago and the guy said it was safe around "pets" and that the poison would dissipate after a few hours but we still kept the chickens and dogs away from that part of the lawn until after a couple rainstorms.

 

[Acre4Me]

start with the pest control company -ask what they are applying.. then see if it’s ok around chickens. The egg issue is another consideration. Not all chemicals pass through a system and into an egg, but that is an entirely different consideration from “safe for chickens”. You might need to ask your county ag extension agent, or state ag dept that question, as farmers also need pest control etc. or just make sure pest control company stays away from the chicken area.

 

[Folly's place]

There's actually a very very short list of 'approved' products that should be used around chickens, because most products will be absorbed by the egg yolks and be there for a long time. The farad.org. website lists products that can be used around poultry, so you can look it up when you have the list from your pest control company. In general, having no access to anything is best for your birds.
Sometimes we do what we gotta do, but it's best to stick to 'the rules' as much as possible.
Mary