Termites in my chicken coop??

[CathyA]

I wasn't sure where to post this.
About a month ago, when we were having a ton of rain, I opened up one of the windows in the coop, and found ant-like bugs with wings. I didn't know if they were some kind of ant with wings, or termites.
Then they seemed to go away.
For the roof, there is OSB board, and tar paper on top of the that, then shingles. The guy who built the coop wasn't very good, and we've had leaks in the roof for years. There are a couple small areas of rotten OSB board.
I've been noticing some small dark ground stuff on a shelf. Then the other day, I found a rather large pile of the stuff. It looks like finely ground coffee grounds. I'm sure its coming from the rotten spot on the OSB board.
Could any kind of mositure/wood-loving insect be doing this, or does this sound like termites?
Besides replacing the roof, is there anything I might use, if it IS termites?
I keep telling the chickens to eat them, if they see any.

I've never dealt with termites before. Wouldn't ever use harsh chemicals on them (not to be nice to the termites, but to not poison the chickens or us humans).
Hopefully, its not termites.

[Float On]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gs_rn=12&gs_ri=psy-ab&cp=6&gs_id=m&xhr=t&q=termites&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46340616,d.dmg&biw=1920&bih=985&wrapid=tljp1368206774192010&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=-zGNUe-2GMXF4AOVx4DACA#imgrc=88AlphHyGWDf9M%3A%3ByxG7qiWE 9S2hEM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cahillinspection.c om%252Fimages%252Ftermite%252FAlatwall.jpg%3Bhttp% 253A%252F%252Fwww.cahillinspection.com%252Ftermite .htm%3B669%3B415

Did they look like this?
I'd probably replace any wood (and burn it) and can you move the coop? The big nest would be in the ground. Hopefully it is far from your house. I don't know of any natural way to get rid of termites.


There is a good photo on that page of the difference between flying ant and termite - go study your bugs and hope for the two sets of wings (one short one long).

[JaneV2.0]

Cut back on the little slackers' feed; they'll eat the termites. Problem solved.

[CathyA]

I couldn't I.D. them in time, before they disappeared.
Jane, my hens are in a run, so they might not be where the bugs are.
I can't see any around the rotten hole in the ceiling. I haven't really seen any since I saw them in the window guide that one day.
The coop really needs a new roof.
Float On.........no, I can't move it. Its a 10x16 shed with a cement floor.
Out here in the country, seems like there's always some varmint to deal with. haha

[puglogic]

Sounds like a wonderful reason to finally put a tight roof on that coop (or at least that's how I'd interpret it) :D