Aussie Finch Forum

HI

Just putting to out there, has anybody ever had any adverse affects spraying coopex ant spray, around their birds and aviary's.
This time of year i have got the black ants invading everything, in trees, soaked seed and of cause having a feed on any live food.
Last year 3 black rump waxbills young died in the nest possibly from the ants.
I feel like going nuts with the spray but i anyways use it sparingly. Worried that if sprayed on plants, the birds drink the water droplets etc.
Makes you feel like using a pair of zebs in a cabinet in the name of science to see it the spray causes any ill effects like infertile eggs, sickness etc.

Any thoughts and experiences on using coopex wold be handy.

Dave

G'day Dave.
When I was first shown Coopex by a finch breeder years ago I asked the breeder about its safety around birds and he liberally sprayed all the birds in cabinets in front of us with a trigger spray to prove its safety.
I know of a local bakery which uses it around food prep areas too so I think its quite safe within aviaries. It dries to leave a powdery residue which is effective against most ants. Outdoor areas need to be resprayed after rain.
The little brown ones are a real nuisance here now too - into termites & softfood. Chemical war is the only effective solution.

I spray Coopex all over the walls of my breeding cabinets, but wait until it has dried off until I put birds back in the cabinet. I also spray on the floor of my garage, and it leaves a white residue. I have had no ill effects on my canaries from Coopex.

I am sure the instructions state not to spray it on their food or water. Best spray available for ants and cockroaches.

I have been told its safe on birds also. I don't really use it these days as I have no need to, actually have a couple of Red-backs again this year.

Sorry to go a little off topic ,but i use Avian Liquidator a veta farm product i think,you can spray it on the birds and food no problems,i spray all the aviaries with the birds still in them,lasts for 6 weeks,amazing what can hide in all the cracks and crevices,garyh

Don't worry Dave,it's very safe to use as its Pyrethrine (Permethrin) a plant substance but keep it away from their foods.Now is the time to use it with all the creepy crawlies around and yes spray the birds also if you think they might be carrying mites,the finer (mist) the spray the better as it gets into all nooks and crannies.

Craig

To add to the possible solutions you could try quassia chips. These are a natural insecticide. You can see info at www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/quassia.com. I use these to spray for mites but they are also supposed to be good for ants.
I solved my ant problem my "moating" my green food using a dish inside a larger dish and filling the outer dish with water. Anyway just thought I would offer the info.
PS you can get quassia at the Mudbrick Herb Farm on the Sprinbrook Rd out of Mudgeraba as you are on the GC

This was very helpful. I now have my mice problem under control and wondering what to do about the ants.
Cheers.