Aussie Finch Forum

Hi can anyone give me advice please black ants are getting into nest boxes and killing my gouldians babies I've tried ant sand and ant rid on the outside of the aviary but doesn't seem to work any suggestions ? Thanks

They must be nesting on the inside somewhere or even in the steel tubing of aviary
I had an issue the other day with them & put ant & wasp rid along the steel tube at the base & covered with boards to keep the birds off
It has worked so far with no losses of birds & NO ants
Cheers

Ants usually are not attarcted to live young

But whether or not, Coopex dust (non toxic to birds) will solve your problem

Are you sure the ants killed the babies.
Personal opinion they could have died and the smell attracted the ants.
You can buy some Coopex and spray all over, being cheap you can just saturate the areas.
I spray the nest boxes with it when cleaning them out without any ill effects.
Just mix it with water, once you have sprayed heavily just keep a filled hand spray near by
and when you see the Ants let them have it.

I think they are coming from the neighbours as no any nests in the aviary but the aviary sits on the fence line so I'll try dumping ant sand on the neighbours lawn thought there might be a way to deter the ants thanks

Mate welcome to my world for the last few months

Thanks for the advice can u tell me where to buy coopex and and a dilution ratio and would it hurt to spray in other boxes with eggs in them ? And on the inside aviary wall ? And how often should I use it just as a prevention ?

Ajw132 wrote: 12 Apr 2017, 15:49 Thanks for the advice can u tell me where to buy coopex and and a dilution ratio and would it hurt to spray in other boxes with eggs in them ? And on the inside aviary wall ? And how often should I use it just as a prevention ?

Coopex can be purchased at Bunnings or most farm/stock food suppliers.
Dilution rate is on the pack.
Do not spray on fresh eggs in your boxes.
Get a pressurized pump spray bottle and spray around ceiling,walls and floor and the out side of your boxes and the the ground around your aviary.
Remove seed and water before spraying but you can lightly spray your birds.
Coopex is residual which means when it dries it leaves a fine film of the powder which can work repelling bugs for weeks.
Hope that helps. Craig

elferoz777 wrote: 12 Apr 2017, 15:47 Mate welcome to my world for the last few months

I've been battling them for years. All my food bowls (both live and anything non-dry seed) have to placed in hanging feeders that are suspended on chains from aviary ceiling. Even still, the point here the chain attaches the ceiling must be doused insecticide regularly or they find their way and eat all the maggots etc...

I HATE ANTS! they drive me insane!!!

Ajw132 wrote: 12 Apr 2017, 14:34 Hi can anyone give me advice please black ants are getting into nest boxes and killing my gouldians babies I've tried ant sand and ant rid on the outside of the aviary but doesn't seem to work any suggestions ? Thanks

AJW132,Ive heard one remedy is to dust the ant tracks with cinnamon powder.Give it a go,
and let us know.