Getting rid of fire ants, thanks to their resilient nature and lack of natural predators, is not a simple matter. Fire ants, now found in almost every state in the South, were originally introduced to the U.S. in Alabama. Since their introduction they have steadily moved north, west, east, and south. Fire ants are so called because of the effects of the poison in their stinger, which is often described as an intense burn. Instead of biting and injecting or spraying acids, fire ants have a stinger on their abdomen. They bite with their jaws to get a grip and then plunge that stinger in for the kill. The poison released is called piperidine. The most common reaction to fire ant stings is intense burning pain and the formation of blisters (or pustules) where the venom has killed the cells surrounding the wound. Although it isn’t possible, or very likely, that a human can be overwhelmed and killed by a swarm of fire ants, it is indeed possible that the proteins found in the fire ant’s poison can cause death by severe allergic reaction. Though it’s not possible to get rid of fire ants entirely, it is possible to control their populations.
Fire Ant Control
The first step to getting rid of fire ants is to engage in what is called broadcast baiting with fire ant bait containing hydramethylnon, or any other fire ant killer. Using a hand held scoop, one can treat a particular area where fire ant mounds have been sighted by spreading the granules on the ground. This should be done in the late afternoon to early evening and once or twice seasonally. If you broadcast bait during the fall, chances are your baiting will reduce the populations in the spring. MaxForce makes a good fire ant bait for outdoor use. Caution: don’t do this before it rains.
The second step to getting rid of fire ants is to engage in what is called drenching some three to six weeks after broadcast baiting. Drenching is basically the treatment of individual mounds once it is confirmed that ant activity has been reduced. This can be done any number of ways. You can boil water and pour it on the mounds. You can get a liquid drenching solution made specifically for fire ants, or you can apply a dust product containing Acephate, a chemical found in products like Orthene or Precise. Dust insecticides are recommended for individual fire ant mound treatment.
To get rid of fire ants indoors, a simple fire ant bait like MaxForce can be used. Most manufacturers make a fire ant bait specifically for indoor use, but some broadcast baits have instructions for indoor use, as well. Of course, keeping this away from children, pets, and food is always a challenge, so I would recommend something like MaxForce Ant Bait Gel. Whatever indoor bait you use, just make sure it’s guaranteed to work on fire ants by checking the label.
To prevent fire ants from coming indoors, a few things can be done to ensure a home free of fire ants. First, put all food items in their proper containers, especially sweets. Clean the house regularly using bleach to wipe up any residual foods left on the floor. Vacuuming on a regular basis is also recommended. Having your doors and windows checked and sealed properly, as well as your door and window screens, is always a good idea. Weatherstripping can be a quick fix, while caulking cracks and holes in your foundations or on the outside of your house can’t hurt, either.
If you can’t get rid of fire ants yourself, you may want to try calling in a professional. I don’t live in the South, so I can’t recommend any good pest control services that could handle a fire ant infestation. You could contact members of the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project (TIFARMP) at Texas A&M University, but unless you live in Texas, they may not be of very much help. Contacting your local government officials would be my second suggestion. They will probably know who to put you in touch with, or what pest control service is reputable or who specializes in fire ant management.Fire Ant Killer
Thanks to the strength and speed of the red imported fire ant’s migration, a number of major insecticide manufacturers are producing tons of fire ant killer products. MaxForce, Amdro, Precise, Raid Fire Ant Killer, Ascend, Logic, and Siege are just a few of the brands that make ant killer specifically for fire ants. Of course, a majority of these fire ant killers use the same active ingredient to do your dirty work: Hydramethylnon. Although chemicals such as indoxacarb, abamectin, and fipronil are also common in both consumer and professional grade fire ant killer. It seems to me that those products containing hydramethylnon are the fastest acting and most recommended products on the market. It has been suggested by the TIFARMP that purchasing fire ant killer in bulk from agricultural and business vendors will save you money in the long run, especially if you’re using the two-step method of fire ant control.
