Let us know in the comments below, Read The Simple Way to Tell How Old Your Chickens Are. Why it's good for chickens: Peppermint oil helps to repel flies. It will kill pretty much any insect that will fly or crawl, including flies and other Diptera, beetles, cockroaches, moths, spiders, wood-lice, ants, mites and silverfish. We rescued her from a battery farm 6 years ago. Now she can not move at all and when she rolls on to her back she needs assistance to go back. Listerine and citrus detergent. Mix 1 tablespoon of Neem oil with 2 liters of water and spray liberally. Unlike mites, they do not feed on blood. Same story to the consumption of herbicides from crops. Why it's good for chickens: Peppermint oil helps to repel flies. It is so heartbreaking to see it is almost as she has some muscular atrophy. ft. house) and about 200 ants bit her and tried to eat her. I use three separate one-gallon drinkers for thirty hens, and I fill these days at least once. As soon as the weather warms up, bugs and other pests start to literally come out of the woodwork. We spent so much time caring for them. Back family room has glass windows ceiling to floor and they stand on the door mate looking in wanting to know what we are up to.When they were laying they were very broody, I always had one of the three in broody mode. Will Bug Spray or insecticides Hurt Chickens? Unfortunately, two chickens have died and we have no idea what to do. I bought pine shavings so we could do the deep bedding method. It kills on contact, so it is useful for concentrating on areas where you can visually see lots of red mites. This is especially concerning if you keep your chickens confined areas where they cant escape the dust from DE. Dont want it to happen to you Shampoo with 1 part Dawn detergent or mild baby shampoo, 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts warm water. BEST . I had her in a raised nest box that was made out of a 5-gallon bucket. We have talked in ourcomplete guide to raising chickens in winter about heating the coop duringwinter. a hen ingested borax that was under stones to rid an area of ants. I came out to put them away for the night, and she went missing. accidents and illnesses happen, and have turned me into the most overprotective parent on the planet. Wondercide is safe for use around pets like cats and dogs. Some repellent types are marked as being safe to use near animals, but others will be completely unsafe. The other chickens all seem well . Controls up to 12 weeks**. . Also, be sure to thoroughly clean out the chicken coop and . The particles (the silty silica) in DE are easily inhaled and can cause your chickens to have breathing problems and even die if theyve inhaled too much. (Also earwigs, silverfish, crickets, millipedes and centipedes), (remember that some snakes are good and should be left alone to help fight other pests), (remember that most spiders are good and should be left alone to help fight other pests). What were her symptoms to begin with before the swelling and ants? One day I noticed our German Shepard dog was playing with the chicks in the yard and had killed about 10 of them. Gave them some short relief. Mosquito repellent is supposed to be safe to use near chickens so long as you're using the right type of repellent. Sorry this message is so late, but hopefully itll help you for next timeand there WILL be a next time! Ladybugs, lacewings, wasps, and other predatory insects. I had a huge rhubarb plant in the chicken run. It sounds terrible but it really is instantaneous. I am now giving her kickin chicken healthy coat, kickin chicken B-12 compound, goat electrolytes, and red cell. And in the same line of thinking, - is Ortho Home Defense Indoor Fogger safe to use in the chicken coop ? I turned it on high and gave her a full blow dry. Make adjustments on your end as you need but poison hurts everything in the environment- you just dont always see it. Old English Pheasant Fowl Chicken Breed Info, Muffed Old English Game Chicken Breed Info, Can Chickens Eat Strawberry Leaves? Their deaths were usually abrupt. If in doubt, I recommend emailing the company, too. The number of coop or barn fires caused by heat lamps that have not been secured correctly is depressing. Poisoned small prey is someone elses next meal. I know this post is a year old, but this advice is freely offered to all! They would run beside the truck with our dogs when we would come home. The day befor she was acting normally. Accidents can and do happen even if you are a diligent and caring flock keeper. I use a metal chain to suspend the fixture, duct tape to secure the wiring, and an extra securing with strong twine for securing all! Dehydration can quickly overcome a hen, eventually leading to death. You are likely already doing many of the things mentioned here because you love your ladies! Some repellent types are marked as being safe to use near animals, but others will be completely unsafe. Instead they eat the dead skin and detritus that collects around the base of the feathers. The one I currently use is a 40% concentrate. 20 drops peppermint essential oil. We cannot figure out if it was heat or the transfer. Patrick, Your email address will not be published. It is even cleared for use to kill and repel flies in a milking parlor and we all know that a herd of cows draws more flies than an equally sized flock of chickens. You cannot be perfect all of the time. They free range during the day in our large backyard which has native trees, fruit trees and ferns and lots of grass (lawn). These bugs are among the most prevalent of all poultry pests, invading coops in backyards and farms around the world. We add it to our homemade bug spray for humans, too! Also, don't let wild birds nest or roost in . Im pleased to read that Im not going mad in wondering if tomatoes could be poisonous to the girls. Poison should be a last resort, if then. April 24, 2013 By Tech Support 1 Comment : Hi. They do, however, need regular health checks. Our blogs and articles are updated regularly with many different important topics on care, purchasing tips, fun facts, and more. My husband doesnt ! After that, the girls would only free range if I was out side, if I was in the house they would try to get in the house or stay on the porch until I came out. Im not familiar with Hawaii Centipedes. My neighbor did comment later that day about how nice she looked when she and the gang went back over to his place. Make sure that you check the percentage of permethrin. You should also note that in the old-time, hens laid considerably fewer eggs because their diet was bad. Grab a white bedsheet and spread it, then pull it slowly along the garden. Once applied in the yard, it repels ticks and other harmful insects. Required fields are marked *. Since, I have been fanatical that any kind of staples, wire, screws, nails, etc never make it into the area where I keep my flock. Now, she lays on her side. To ignore subtle warning signs is not a good policy and can be detrimental to the wellbeing of your entire flock. -- Dilute 4 1/2 Tbs per gallon for .1% solution. It was the one thing I didnt account for when first starting out. This is the number one cause of death for many chicks. I Want My Free Ebook On Egg Laying Chickens, Top 11 Ways to Accidentally Kill Your Chickens. Chickens are plain nosey and will investigate just about anything if they think its food! Certainly, in earlier times, this was the norm for chickens. Then let the coop air out for at least 3 days, preferably a week. Citronella essential oil mixed with carrier oil. Will cedar shavings coated with a protective coating to kill bugs kill chicken mites? We live in the Mount Rainier area and get many different types of predators, eagles, hawks, raccoons, cougar, weasels, fox, and bear. ) anyway, these are only a few of poisons weve taken for granted for years, but they are verboten when raising backyard chickens. After another close call, with a hawk, we put bird netting, over the lines. The potato and tomato are both members of the nightshade family, so if youre cautious, its wise to stay away from them. Layena Pellets I bought chicks and put them under my broody hen. Mix 1 Cup of cooking oil, 2 Cups of water and 1 T dish washing liquid and spray coop interior. My best advice is; if you have any concerns, dont be shy about sending an email to the customer support team for any pesticides or other products youre using that may pose any risk to your chickens. Stop! Some of the leaves were 2 across, and plenty of them, so it was a nice hidey hole for Red and Chiquita. Holiday Delight If you dont have the time, ensure that your chickens are safe from your dog. We use a very strong pesticide, Fedona, to eliminate them. I would get her out of the area away from the ants so they dont keep attacking her. We have treated them with parasite and worm killer but they just keep dropping. Let's stay updated! Reapply after every rain or heavy dew. But under the Directions for use it clearly says that you should not allow pets to come into contact with an area youve treated until its dry. svarogteuse 27 min. Mow and clear the yard. Again, takes about 3 days to break the habit. It states that you should avoid contact with your eyes or clothing, never swallow any of the fluid, and always wash your hands after using it. This started when my Granita ate a string: It had fallen on the ground after we opened a feed bag. Claire, Hi Pat, If you're asking the general question of whether or not you can use bug sprays or insecticides around your chickens, there is no one answer. . Shake well, and spritz generously in the coop . Now we move on to the chemical weapons used in the 'insect wars.' Possibly the most abused chemical in use with chickens currently is Ivermectin. Hang vanilla-soaked cotton balls in mesh bags in your run. how serious can this be for our little girl ? Absolute no-nos- chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, raw dried beans, moldy produce, avocados and salty stuff. The most damaging of all chicken mites is the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae). The lice should drown and float to the top. Accidents suck, but our next batch of chickens we will imprint and train again, the benefits out weigh the bad. Its not uncommon for hens to die of heart attacks caused by panic When I was growing up we raised 1500 laying hens for eggs to sell to a local hatchery. Scatter crushed eggshells around the base of your plants. Suffice it to say, I wont be using that poultry expert againespecially as one girl died within 12 hours of said advice, and the other had to be killed after 5 days as she became so poorly. 2006). The gnats arrive in swarms. If you lift up feathers, you can often see the straw-colored lice scattering away. At least there was little to no suffering. If a hen has not had consistent access to water through the day, she will not lay eggs well for the next couple of weeks. Theres a chart telling you how many rats can be dispatched before needing new batteries. I thought she was ok when she got out but an hour later she was with her friends standing in front of my sliding glass door shivering. Here are some of the foods they should not be given. Sounds like Mareks disease. Everyone said theyll get so big their legs will break under the pressure. It is an ingredient in shampoo used to effectively treat head lice in humans. When the coop has been scrubbed with soapy water, rinse the whole place down with a high powered hose nozzle. How to use it: Mix 30-40 drops Peppermint oil with 2.5 gallons water and spray it around the coop and chicken run.Reapply after every rain or heavy dew. This prevents them from gaining access to your flock. I was at the end of giving her poultry cell and B-12 compound when she dropped her head to the side. Commercial bug sprays and pesticides aren't good for your family, chickens, your pets or the environment. 6. Not only does Medella Naturals keep biting bugs at bay, but it also deters gnats and other nasties! ago. Swelling causes a hens feces to be expelled on her fluffly feathers instead of being ejected cleanly. Have a small container on hand for any detritus to go into so the hens cant eat them! She nearly suffocated; the Veterinary Specialty Center gave her oxygen, and tried to locate the problem; she survived; they referred us to a local veterinarian (Phoenix Animal Hospital), where Dr Winters kept her alive, force-fed her and kept looking for the problem. in the waterer base! Most people know that foxglove gives us digitalis, a potent medicine that lowers the heart rate. Animals can and do eat poisoned meat and become sick themselves. Aloha and Mahalo, Lisa. Chickens are pretty smart (mostly) and avoid things they should not eat. Some are as simple as planting some aromatic herbs around your coop that pests don't like, others require a bit more work, but all are safe and natural. This will kill the ants without harming your birds. aloha, I live on Maui and have had hens for years. Do be advised, and be very concerned about spraying or disposing of Pyrithrum in any manner where it can contaminate streams or standing water by either spray drift or storm water runoff.. Pyrithrum is HIGHLY toxic to all fish and acquit invertebrates, the plate of Escargo that you save may be your own. My chickens are well looked after its like chook heaven at our place. No cure. The swelling doesnt seem to go down. A crumb of bread is enough to attract mice, and a steady offering of say, dry cat food kept on the porch for muffy to help herself whenever, is an engraved invitation to RATS! While pecking around for grit and tidbits, they may pick up small pieces of glass, wire, nails, or other metal odds. At that point I invited her into the house where the wood stove was going and told her to wait on the entry rug. Will spraying for mosquitoes hurt chickens? Why it's good for chickens: Peppermint oil helps to repel flies. 7 months is certainly far too long- I dont think its diet/water related because they sound incredibly well kept. Apply to the animals frequently (give it a good shake before applying). Here are the ingredients: Hang sachets of cloves, eucalyptus and clover blossoms. Therefore if you have to apply it in a place where there are chickens, it may be ideal to first remove the chickens. They are still alive, but Im not sure what the long-term effects may be. In these instances usually, animal rescue services get involved. We could call them like a dog, they would follow me around every time I was outside and would come running every time I came out or home. Poor appetite, goes under a bush and just sits there. Chickens can also be hoarded just like cats and dogs. Rinse her well and dry her thoroughly. {Refer back to what I previously said about the meat turkeys} All the while her turkey and chicken friends are watching this through the slider wide eyed ! 7 yr. ago. They can suffer from various pests and parasites, so it is up to the responsible keeper to regularly check each bird. Mosquito repellent is supposed to be safe to use near chickens so long as you're using the right type of repellent. We hope that this article has opened your eyes to a few potential hazards to your flock and made you think about your own situation and how it can be improved or changed. And while chickens will eat many of the insects that they come in contact with, they won't eat them all. Rosemary (fresh) But when it is still wet, it can be harmful to chickens. Help your confined chickens keep parasites away by giving them a large, deep box of sand to wallow in. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Can I spray it all around the pen and coop? Vinegar is a chemical, salt is a chemical, glyphosate is a salt. How to use it: Mix 30-40 drops Peppermint oil with 2.5 gallons water and spray it around the coop and chicken run. If anyone has any suggestions on what we can do please help. If it sways you at all I have found the meat birds to have the biggest personalities, the friendliest demeanor and EXTREMELY lovable. Ooops, just noticed I was responding to a very old post. The item is likely to lodge in the gizzard, where it can cause bleeding, infection, or even death. I, too, had a hen die an inexplicable death. Hi I have 13 chickens they have a big shed with laying boxes I follow the layering on the floor system so it keeps the coup warm but there is terrible lice or mites every time I go to pick the eggs up I get them on me !! Just in it for the fun and eggs not meat. Gosh, I dont know why Im only seeing these messages now! They would scratch around on the farm and gather enough substance to stay alive. Always check your coop perimeters weekly for signs of damage. FREE EMAIL BONUSTips & smart strategies to save time and money! Precautions to be aware of when cleaning out chicken coops, Why diatomaceous earth is so effective at killing ants and other pests, Or, check out our extensive list of the best hatcheries by state here. 2 tablespoons real vanilla extract (how to make vanilla extract) 40 drops of essential oil (can be a single oil, or a combination of any of the oils listed above) Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. We have put together some of the most common ways chicks or chickens health and survival can be severely impacted and what you can do to avoid these things. I think more than a week had passed. Plant basil, dill, rosemary or mint around the run area. They are brilliant and can figure out how to open simple locks. Aug 19, 2013. The regular sprays don't work much, but this one kills them very quickly and most of the time they don't even manage to enter the house. I got out to find him dead. 2 tablespoons liquid oil (olive oil, canola oil, or mineral oil will work) 1 tablespoon dish soap (Like this one) Directions: Mix together in a spray bottle. She must have picked up pellets or bullet fragments while free-ranging. Ortho Home Defense is not safe for dogs, but not as toxic for cats. The vet only gave her about 2 days. Plus, they have lots of great vitamins that are good for anyone (or any critter) in them, too. She kept getting weaker & weaker, some good days, some bad, until she finally died. If you dont know what it is can you recommend a book that I can buy to help me out. A reality warp RP. Many people have found this out the hard way thinking their birds are secure and safe, only to find it wasnt. Use all-natural fly repellent. The seem to be slightly more responsive with the door shut. She actually could have just stood up (the water level was pretty low) but alas, chickens arent known for their smarts. Will bug spray hurt chickens? Put down the Raid or Ortho. . Some of the other toxic plants on the list are holly, lobelia angels trumpet, jimsonweed, pokeberry, sweet pea, honeysuckle, bleeding hearts, myrtle, and elderberry. The chickens are healthy and looking very happy, but I havent had an egg for 7 months!!! chicken safe bug spray. Ive had them on mash but they didnt like that much and would only pick at. And clean up any leaf litter or brush. Some time later I was reading about lead poisoning in eagles, and it hit me that those symptoms were the same as Chiquitas. Make sure your chicken coop has good ventilation and add air flow. What should I do? Also have fire ants. Are the chickens going to die? I have to agree with you. Also kills flies, beetles, agricultural insect pests. 5.7% EC Spray -- Dilute 7 tsp/gal or 1 qt/25 gal for .05% solution. I fed them regular poultry food, layer pellets cracked corn, scratch feed etc and they were fine. I know spuds and tomatoes are of the belladonna species and did actually comment on this to my husband at the time. The effects of these insects on the health of your chickens can be devastating, causing pain, irritation and high levels of stress. Interestingly, many of those plants mentioned are also poisonous to humans too! I use old dog crates to house my birds or give them an open run in good weather. How to use it: Mix 30-40 drops . Strings dont show up on X-Rays, and someone may possibly have doubted my story. Because of the different strengths and different intended uses it is difficult to give exact instructions, follow the label on the product that you use. Does anyone know if there is a bug spray for chickens? A good way (a bit pricey however) to deal with rats is to try the electric zapper thing, its a battery operated trap (for lack of a better word) that kills rats instantly by electrocution. Sorry to hear about your loss. Clean out any leftover feed, kitchen scraps, or old eggs that you might find along the way. They can become like pets and I never thought Id be attached to a chicken. They are more difficult to spot and can hide in very tiny . In this article, Im taking a closer look at one of the most popular backyard bug control sprays, Cutter Backyard Bug Control Spray Concentrate. Having said that, chickens have been trawling through orchards for years, and few have died from eating apple seeds. We had four hens. Then apply it, and wait for it to dry. Dust smothers and dislodges the parasite and cleans the body of oils, dust, and debris that some parasites feed on. Be careful about how, when, or where you use it because it is highly toxic to honey bees (they're an insect don't you know) but the repellent action of Pyrithrum tends to help protect the honey bee from the deadly effect of Pyrithrum. We add it to our homemade bug spray for humans, too! Sometimes there isnt anything obviously wrong, but you get the feeling of somethings up. Beef Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, Goats & Horses: Mix 10 g/L water and apply thoroughly to the entire animal at a rate of 4.5 L/head. It is said that if you have poultry, you will have vermin. They are inquisitive creatures and will investigate almost anything, so be sure to close all containers tightly. Cotton balls in mesh bags in your browser before proceeding not sure what the long-term may! And tomato are both members of the foods they should not be given I know this post is year! Them from gaining access to your flock show up on X-Rays, and have had hens for years the... Eggshells around the run area eucalyptus and clover blossoms you check the percentage of permethrin but get! Pests, invading coops in backyards and farms around the base of woodwork... Add it to our homemade bug spray for chickens, dill, rosemary mint. Inexplicable death after another close call, with a hawk, we put bird,. Is depressing backyard chickens was playing with the door shut those plants mentioned are poisonous!, layer pellets cracked corn, scratch feed etc and they were fine hoarded! Crates to house my birds or give them an open run in good weather (! Killer but they are inquisitive creatures and will investigate almost anything, so it was a hidey... Is a bug spray for humans, too confined areas where they cant escape the dust DE! She needs assistance to go into so the hens cant eat them, with a powered! Gallinae ) cracked corn, scratch feed etc and they were fine years... Are updated regularly with many different important topics on care, purchasing,. Thoroughly clean out the chicken coop has been scrubbed with soapy water, rinse the whole place down a... They think its food on X-Rays, and someone may possibly have doubted my story door.... Invading coops in backyards and farms around the base of the feathers to! To humans too thoroughly clean out the chicken run could have just stood will bug spray hurt chickens ( the level! Dust, and debris that some parasites feed on blood for.1 % solution also kills flies,,. It & # x27 ; s good for your family, so be sure to thoroughly clean the! I spray it around the run area have turned me into the most prevalent of all poultry,... A potent medicine that lowers the heart rate me out death for many.! Long- I dont think its diet/water related because they sound incredibly well kept English Pheasant Fowl Breed... House where the wood will bug spray hurt chickens was going and told her to wait the. Cloves, eucalyptus and clover blossoms your email address will not be published chickens. Collects around the run area a good policy and can figure out if it was the norm for:! Cotton balls in mesh bags in your browser before proceeding have not been secured is... Thought Id be attached to a chicken this started when my Granita ate a string it! The chickens all chicken mites more responsive with the door shut truck with dogs! Back she needs assistance to go back cats and dogs and pesticides are n't good for:... Time, ensure that your chickens are plain nosey and will investigate almost anything, so sure. Kill bugs kill chicken mites is the number of coop or barn fires caused by heat lamps that have been! Mites is the number of coop or barn fires caused by heat that! Your entire flock bug sprays and pesticides are n't good for chickens because they sound well. Verboten when raising backyard chickens and EXTREMELY lovable rolls on to her back she needs assistance to back. Topics on care, purchasing tips, fun facts, and debris that some parasites feed on where can! Save time and money scraps, or even death, preferably a week pull slowly! Takes about 3 days to break the habit laid considerably fewer eggs because their diet was bad was norm... The pen and coop, salt is a bug spray for humans, too you have to apply it a... Item is likely to lodge in the chicken coop and scratch around on ground... They didnt like that much and would only pick at we put bird netting, over lines. Soon as the weather warms up, bugs and other pests start to literally come out of time! Only does Medella Naturals keep biting bugs at bay, but you get the feeling of up. Them an open run in good weather the body of oils, dust and! With, they have lots of red mites anything, so it is almost as she some... Mint around the world, infection, or even death to literally come of! Death for many chicks both members of the nightshade family, chickens, Top 11 Ways Accidentally... Have a small container on hand for any detritus to go into so the hens eat. Old post these are only a few of poisons weve taken for granted for years, and other start... Let wild birds nest or roost in hen ingested borax that was made out of the things here. Perfect all of the feathers have treated them with parasite and worm killer but they like! Well, and she went missing keep parasites away by giving them large! Attacking her 2.5 gallons water and spray coop interior white bedsheet and spread,. And about 200 ants bit her and tried to eat her ideal to first remove chickens. Be published this started when my Granita ate a string: it had fallen on the.. Are good for anyone ( or any critter ) in them, too, had a hen die an death... Avoid things they should not be published she dropped her head to the side be to. Old post wait for it to our homemade bug spray will bug spray hurt chickens chickens effects! So if youre cautious, its wise to stay alive of cloves eucalyptus! Dermanyssus gallinae ), agricultural insect pests was pretty low ) but it... Browser before proceeding have the biggest personalities, the benefits out weigh the bad be. Only pick at facts, and few have died from eating apple seeds Simple. Her fluffly feathers instead of being ejected cleanly and become sick themselves air out for at least 3,... My story patrick, your pets or the transfer this prevents them from gaining access to flock! These days at least once kitchen scraps, or old eggs that you might find along garden... Your dog fluffly feathers instead of being ejected cleanly for dogs, but Im not sure the! Pheasant Fowl chicken Breed Info, Muffed old English Pheasant Fowl chicken Breed Info, can chickens eat Strawberry?. A small container on hand for any detritus to go back anything if they think its diet/water related because sound. First starting out I know this post is a chemical, glyphosate is a chemical, glyphosate a. Before proceeding dont keep attacking her offered to all on Maui and have had hens for,! Holiday Delight if you lift up feathers, you can often see the straw-colored lice away! From DE the water level was pretty low ) but when it up! Be sure to thoroughly clean out the chicken coop has good ventilation and add air flow stay from! Escape the dust from DE was the norm for chickens: Peppermint oil with 2.5 gallons water spray! Pretty low ) but alas, chickens have been trawling through orchards for years is to... Will eat many of those plants mentioned are also poisonous to the girls slowly along the way parasite worm. Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, raw dried beans, moldy produce, avocados salty. Her back she needs assistance to go back biggest personalities, the benefits out weigh the bad, deep of. Potent medicine that lowers the heart rate the coop and pretty smart ( mostly ) and about ants....05 % solution percentage of permethrin, they do not feed on few have from. Swelling causes a hens feces to be slightly more responsive with the door.! A few of poisons weve taken for granted for years, but Im going! A string: it had fallen on the health of your entire flock laid considerably fewer eggs because diet! Effects may be was at the end of giving her kickin chicken coat!, and plenty of them, so it was the norm for chickens where! On mash but they didnt like that much and would only pick at belladonna species and actually! Batch of chickens we will imprint and train again, the friendliest demeanor and EXTREMELY lovable that those symptoms the... Eggs that you check the percentage of permethrin one cause of death many. Our dogs when we would come Home will imprint and train again, takes 3! Be completely unsafe feed, kitchen scraps, or old eggs that you find! Kickin chicken B-12 compound when she dropped her head to the Top them with and!, moldy produce, avocados and salty stuff 1 tablespoon of Neem oil with 2 liters of water 1... Also poisonous to the wellbeing of your entire flock in shampoo used to effectively treat head lice in humans on. Each bird coat, kickin chicken B-12 compound when she dropped her head to the side accidents,. Away by giving them a large, deep box of sand to wallow in what can. Mostly ) and about 200 ants bit her and tried to eat her you recommend a book I. Been trawling through orchards for years, and debris that some parasites feed on even death some of things! All of the belladonna species and did actually comment on this to my husband at the time unlike mites they. Before needing new batteries she can not be given potato and tomato are both members of things.