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Fire Ant Control
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Use baits and treat individual mounds -
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Summary: Fire ants
can be controlled with a combination of toxic
baits and individual mound treatment.
Apply baits in the spring or fall and treat mounds
that are close to human activity with a contact
insecticide.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist
(ret.)
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Fire ants are dangerous insects
and should not be allowed to remain around homes
or play areas. These insects have an extremely
potent sting and a tendency to swarm at the least
disturbance (see What are
Fire Ants? for additional details about this
invasive pest).
The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis
invicta) occurs mainly in the southeastern
US from North Carolina to east Texas. Isolated
colonies have been found in southern California as
well (see map below). Fire ants are generally
considered to be "tropical insects" in that they
are limited to areas where the soil does not
freeze and there is adequate rainfall.
Fire ants construct large (up to 18"
high) mounds in fields, pastures, lawns, and along
roads (right). Mounds may contain thousands of
ants. The presence of mounds is the best
indication that fire ants are in the area. Do
not attempt to collect ants for identification.
Control of fire ants is usually a two step process
- poison baiting and individual mound
treatment.
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| Fire ant mounds in a
pasture. Photo by USDA/APHIS/PPQ Archives |
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Poison baits
The best fire ant baits are made from corn
meal and have an oily texture but there are other
effective formulations as well. Baits
can be broadcast with either a hand-operated
spreader or a push-type fertilizer spreader for very
large areas.
Treat infested areas in fall
and/or spring when worker ants are active
and there is no rain anticipated for at least 8
hours. Test for worker ant activity by carefully
placing a small piece of hot dog (frankfurter) next
to a mound. If ants are active they will begin
feeding within 30 minutes.
Common
fire ant baits are Advion (indoxicarb), Ascend (abamectin),
Award (fenoxycarb), Ceasefire (fipronil), Amdro
(hydramethylnon), Extinguish (methoprene), and Distance
(pyriproxyfen). All will give good control if used properly. For more
information, including current product labels, you can use the search box at our
affiliate DoMyOwn.com to search on "fire ant bait". |
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Conventional insecticides
There are a number of conventional contact
insecticides labeled for fire ants as well. Again, for more
information, including current product labels, you can use the search box at our
affiliate DoMyOwn.com to search on "fire ant control".
Next, treat individual mounds
Since baits can take
weeks to months to be completely effective
mounds near homes or play areas should be treated
with a faster acting insecticide to remove this
threat. There is no need to individually treat all
mounds only those
that pose an immediate threat, those near
homes or outside recreation areas.
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Fire ant (red imported fire
ant - Solenopsis invicta) quarantine
area as of August 2005. Map from
USDA/APHIS/PPQ.
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Mounds can be treated with either granular or liquid insecticides
that are approved for this use. Check labels to
determine if a product is registered for fire ant
mound treatment. Common active ingredients to look
for are acephate, carbaryl, cyfluthrin, d-limonene,
deltamethrin, and permethrin. Be
sure to carefully follow package instructions
regarding rate and application.
Texas Imported Fire Ant Research
and Management Project is part of Texas
A&M University.
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