How To Treat Fire Ants
Fire ants are considered a “public health pest” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They cause mild-to-moderate bites and stings on humans, depending on their sensitivity to the venom. Fire ants can also pose threats to both plant and animal species, as well as posing a threat to structures built for human habitation and food production.
You might be suffering from recurring episodes of red bumps, blisters and itchy sensations. You may have noticed some human trace or notice a few most unwelcome guests in your home. You could be suffering from a fire ant overpopulation that has taken your home hostage. There is no need to live with annoying and painful symptoms caused by red imported fire ants. We will help you get rid of fire ants once and for all without digging up your entire lawn. This guide will teach you how to treat fire ants.
How To Treat Fire Ants
Fire Ants are a problem for many homeowners, and they can be particularly harmful to children. The best way to treat fire ants is to use an insecticide that is designed specifically for killing fire ants. These products are available online and at local hardware stores.
The first step in treating fire ants is to make sure that you have correctly identified them as fire ants. Fire ants are red or black in color and are about 1/8 inch long. They have a stinger on their abdomen that they use to inject venom into their prey.
The next step is to apply the insecticide directly on the mound of ants. You should also spray around the perimeter of your property so that any ant trails are destroyed before they can get into your house or yard.
If you have any questions about how best to treat fire ants, contact a pest control professional who can advise you on which treatment will work best on your property
How To Treat Fire Ants
Fire ants are considered to be one of the most dangerous pests. They can cause severe damage to your home and infestations are very hard to get rid off. They usually nest under the ground and if you don’t treat them properly, they will continue to come back again and again.
Here are some tips on how you can get rid of fire ants on your property:
1. Treat the affected area with borax or diatomaceous earth powder. This will kill off the ants, but it won’t kill off their eggs which is why it’s important for you to keep treating your lawn regularly until all traces of fire ants have been removed from your property.
2. You should also make sure that you keep your yard mowed and trimmed so that there aren’t any dead grass clippings lying around which could attract more ants into your yard in search of food sources for their colony!
How To Treat Fire Ants
Photo: flickr.com via Marufish
Millions of people and animals are swarmed and stung every year by fire ants. Their burning (hence the name) bites are especially bad in the southern states, and bites typically occur when fire ant nests are disturbed, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The NIH also estimates that this invasive insect leads to billions of dollars in agricultural losses every year–that’s not counting medical costs for those who seek treatment from the stings. If you’re concerned about the potential damage these caustic creepy crawlers can cause your family and property, read on to learn how to get rid of fire ants and keep them away.
While there are indigenous ant species that aren’t particularly invasive or aggressive, the red imported fire ant (also known as RIFA) and the black imported fire ant (BIFA) are notoriously nasty insects.
The red fire ant is found in numerous southern and southwestern states, while the black fire ant is limited to Alabama, northern Mississippi, and parts of Tennessee. Both types of fire ants are aggressive, but because RIFA’s territory is much larger, it’s the main threat to humans, animals, and crops.
The fire ant’s main food source is plant sugars, making them a serious problem for farmers, but the ants also consume insects, rodents, birds, and reptiles. They lock onto victims with a powerful four-toothed mandible and then emit an alkaloid-based venom, leaving a red and white pustule in their wake.
The venom also contains proteins and peptides that can produce an allergic reaction. While only 5 percent of fire ant attacks are lethal to humans, hypersensitive individuals should get immediate medical attention if they are stung (the rest of us can just swear a bit and treat the area as we would a bee sting). Small pets and young livestock that disrupt a nest can also be killed by the ants, so get them treated if they are badly bitten.
How to Identify Fire Ants
To the casual observer, fire ants can be challenging to identify because they bear characteristics common to less-aggressive ants. Red fire ants are reddish-brown in color everywhere but their abdomen, which is translucent, brownish-black. Black fire ants are completely black with no other color variations.
Both types are relatively small in size when compared to other types of ants, ranging from 0.05 inches up to 0.2 inches. (For comparison, that’s the difference in size between the point of a sharpened pencil to the size of its eraser.) Fire ant sizes will vary within a single colony.
Fire ants may be easier to identify by their behavior: They’re out and about in the morning or late afternoon, they build a fire ant mound on the ground, and they’re quick to swarm any human or animal that disturbs their nests.
Photo: flickr.com via Marufish
Millions of people and animals are swarmed and stung every year by fire ants. Their burning (hence the name) bites are especially bad in the southern states, and bites typically occur when fire ant nests are disturbed, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The NIH also estimates that this invasive insect leads to billions of dollars in agricultural losses every year–that’s not counting medical costs for those who seek treatment from the stings. If you’re concerned about the potential damage these caustic creepy crawlers can cause your family and property, read on to learn how to get rid of fire ants and keep them away.
Photo: flickr.com via Elroy Serrao
Understanding the Enemy: A Primer on Fire Ants
While there are indigenous ant species that aren’t particularly invasive or aggressive, the red imported fire ant (also known as RIFA) and the black imported fire ant (BIFA) are notoriously nasty insects.
The red fire ant is found in numerous southern and southwestern states, while the black fire ant is limited to Alabama, northern Mississippi, and parts of Tennessee. Both types of fire ants are aggressive, but because RIFA’s territory is much larger, it’s the main threat to humans, animals, and crops.
The fire ant’s main food source is plant sugars, making them a serious problem for farmers, but the ants also consume insects, rodents, birds, and reptiles. They lock onto victims with a powerful four-toothed mandible and then emit an alkaloid-based venom, leaving a red and white pustule in their wake.
The venom also contains proteins and peptides that can produce an allergic reaction. While only 5 percent of fire ant attacks are lethal to humans, hypersensitive individuals should get immediate medical attention if they are stung (the rest of us can just swear a bit and treat the area as we would a bee sting). Small pets and young livestock that disrupt a nest can also be killed by the ants, so get them treated if they are badly bitten.
How to Identify Fire Ants
To the casual observer, fire ants can be challenging to identify because they bear characteristics common to less-aggressive ants. Red fire ants are reddish-brown in color everywhere but their abdomen, which is translucent, brownish-black. Black fire ants are completely black with no other color variations.
Both types are relatively small in size when compared to other types of ants, ranging from 0.05 inches up to 0.2 inches. (For comparison, that’s the difference in size between the point of a sharpened pencil to the size of its eraser.) Fire ant sizes will vary within a single colony.
Fire ants may be easier to identify by their behavior: They’re out and about in the morning or late afternoon, they build a fire ant mound on the ground, and they’re quick to swarm any human or animal that disturbs their nests.
Fire Ants vs. Red Ants: What’s the Difference?
Red ants are larger overall than fire ants, ranging from around 1/3-inch up to 1/2-inches long, and they’re much less aggressive. While red ants (also called carpenter ants) can and will bite if they feel threatened they do not swarm, meaning an entire colony of red ants will not rush to attack a single animal or pet. Fire ants do swarm, and dozens of fire ants can swarm their victim and then all bite at the same time.
Rather than living in nests on the ground, red ants usually nest in trees and other available wood, such as wood piles or even the wood in sheds and houses. Red ants are most active at night, when fire ants are in their nests.
istockphoto.com
Finding Fire Ants on Your Property, Indoors and Out
Fire ants can stake their claim virtually anywhere—your home, lawn, driveway, you name it—and their nests aren’t always visible.
Spotting fire ants—or discovering they’re living somewhere nearby after being bitten—is a sure sign you need to find the nest and kill the colony. Just being bitten by an ant or two doesn’t mean the ants are fire ants, but it’s worth some investigation.
Fire ants prefer warm climates, which means that if you live in a northern state you likely don’t have to worry that the ants you find in your house or yard are fire ants. If you live in a southern clime where fire ants are common, the first step is to find the nest.
Locating the Fire Ant Nest
- Indoors: Fire ants may trek indoors, but they don’t build their nests inside. If you spot one or more fire ants inside your home, something is attracting the ants. Usually, it’s food that isn’t sealed, such as fruit on a countertop or even an open bag of dog food. Fire ants are most likely to be looking for food in the morning or late afternoon. Don’t get too close, but observe their path to determine where they’re nesting. If fire ants are going in and out through a gap in a window sill, for example, you’ll likely find their nest outdoors on the ground near the window.
- Outdoors: Looking for the telltale nest mounds that fire ants build is usually the simplest way to find them. According to Ortho, a national extermination company, fire ant mounds average up to 2 feet in diameter and up to about 1.5 feet high. However, individual colonies may be larger or smaller. Fire ants don’t have a preference for soil type, although they generally like sunny locations. Don’t immediately dismiss a smaller ant mound when looking for a fire ant nest —some colonies construct smaller surface mounds and then dig elaborate tunnels that can extend up to 25 feet away.
There are various ways to manage a fire ant infestation, and each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Bear in mind that any approach you take that involves standing close to the nest risks instigating a swarm and getting stung, so be sure to gear up with protective clothing before you begin. Whatever you do, never fight fire ants with fire. It’s extremely dangerous and ineffective to ignite a nest with gasoline.
Following are the most effective ways to kill fire ants, starting with the least resource-intensive and escalating to more involved—and successful—extermination methods.
Method 1: Douse the fire ant mound with boiling water.
Pouring boiling water on fire ant nests is an old-school approach. Though free, organic, and immediate, it’s not the most effective at getting rid of ant hills. The chances are slim that the water will reach the queen, which resides deep in the nest. Drenching the mound with liquid insecticide works somewhat better.
According to Texas A&M University, the boiling-water method works about 60 percent of the time. It certainly won’t hurt to try this method if you find a fire ant mound on your property and you have no other treatments at hand. Here’s what to do: Pour 2-3 gallons of boiling water (use care not to splash skin) directly on the mound. The best course of action is to wait until the fire ants are in their nest (usually in late evening), pour the water quickly, and then leave the area immediately. The fire ants that don’t perish may move to a different spot.
Method 2: Drench the ant hill with a pesticide.
A quick and effective way to eradicate a fire ant problem is to drench the mound with a liquid pesticide. This method is more effective than boiling water because the poison penetrates deeper into the ant pile. Liquid products, such as Bayer’s Tempo, are often highly concentrated; users should mix at least 2-3 gallons of solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions and use it to drench the ant hill. This product kills on contact and leaves active residue behind that kills other ants as they enter or exit the nest.
Bear in mind, though, that this technique is just as risky as the boiling water method because the designated ant exterminator has to stand close to the nest to pour the solution. You also risk spilling the insecticide on your body or splashing it in your face. We can’t stress enough how important it is to wear protective gloves, face coverings, and clothing, and proceed with caution.
Method 3: Bait worker ants in order to kill the fire ant queen.
Placing bait around a mound or in areas where nests may be hidden is a safe, reasonably effective means of fire ant management, though it’s not a quick fix. The ants take the bait and carry it deep inside their nest, ideally killing the queen.
If you want to try this method yourself, sprinkle a bait such as Amdro Fire Ant Bait Granules on the ground around the fire ant nest. You can also spread it over an entire lawn with a broadcast spreader. The goal is to have the worker ants gather the bait and carry it back to the nest, where any ants that eat it—including the colony queen—will die.
Method 4: Spread a broadcast insecticide treatment.
This is the best way to kill fire ants that have overtaken a sizable outdoor area. The ant-plagued homeowner can toss out handfuls of granules as if feeding chickens, and the ants will bring the granules home. This method is safer than pouring insecticide or boiling water on the nest because the homeowner doesn’t directly engage with the nest. However, some granules may be light sensitive and lose their lethal potency before the ants feed on them. A broadcast spreader is a more effective way to treat large yards.
List Of How To Treat Fire Ants
- Attracts & Kills – Kills common household ants including acrobat, crazy, ghost, little black, odorous house, pavement, and other sweet-eating ants
- Kills the Ants You See & the Ones You Don’t – As worker ants discover the bait, they share it with the rest of the colony to eliminate them all
- Works Fast – You should see a significant decrease in the number of ants visiting the bait stations within just a few days
- Ready to Use – Place the bait stations, watch it attract ants, and eliminate the entire colony
- Use Throughout Your Home – Place stations near areas where you’ve seen ant activity including along baseboards, in corners, on counters, and more
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 4.5 Inches |
| Width | 6.6 Inches |
| Length | 1.2 Inches |
| Weight | 0.27 Pounds |
- Safe
- Extra Concentrated for Long-Lasting Protection
- Natural Ingredients Proven Effective in the Real World
- Large 16oz Bottle
- Powerful Essential Oil
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Weight | 1 Pounds |
- Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 with Comfort Wand kills ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks and other listed bugs; the formula is odor free, won’t stain, and keeps listed bugs out
- KILLS BUGS INSIDE: Kills those annoying home-invading insects, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, silverfish, centipedes and millipedes
- KEEPS BUGS OUTSIDE: Creates a bug barrier that will kill bugs you have and prevents new bugs for up to 12 months (applies to ants, roaches and spiders indoors on non-porous surfaces)
- NO STAINING OR STINK: This spray can be used indoors and out, leaves no residue, and has no odor; people and pets may re-enter treated areas after spray has dried
- WAND MAKES APPLICATION EASY: The Comfort Wand eliminates hand fatigue, and there’s no pumping required, making it easy to spray along your home’s perimeter–indoors and outside
Additional Info :
| Color | White |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 4.88 Inches |
| Width | 12 Inches |
| Length | 8.95 Inches |
| Weight | 0.73 Pounds |
- Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-free & Gelatin-free: Each bottle of Goli contains 60 delicious, vegan, non-gmo, gluten-free & gelatin-free Apple Cider Vinegar gummies, which makes them suitable for almost any lifestyle.
- Made in the USA with locally and globally sourced ingredients. Goli Gummies are made in allergen-free, cGMP certified facilities in the United States with local and globally sourced ingredients to ensure that our products are reputable and of the highest quality standards.
- Patented Formula, Essential Vitamins, Great Taste: Our patented formula contains essential Vitamins B9 and B12 to help support cellular energy production, immune function, heart health, healthy nutrient metabolism, a healthy nervous system and overall health and wellbeing. Apple Cider Vinegar has traditionally been used for digestion, gut health and appetite. Our unique flavor profile combined with essential vitamins makes Goli ACV Gummies a delicious addition to your daily health routine.
- Vitamin Angels: Goli is a proud supporter of Vitamin Angels
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 4.8 Inches |
| Width | 2.6 Inches |
| Length | 2.6 Inches |
| Weight | 0.661386786 Pounds |
| Release Date | 2019-10-07T00:00:01Z |
- MOUND DESTROYER: Use outdoors directly on fire ant mounds – starts to kill in minutes.
- KILLS THE QUEEN AND COLONY: Kills the fire ant queen and colony in 24 hours – limits the formation of new mounds in treated areas.
- DEEP-REACHING FORMULA: Made with exclusive Accelerator II technology to speed the release of active ingredient into the mound.
- FOR BEST RESULTS: Apply in morning or evening hours when fire ants are closer to the surface.
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 11.5 Inches |
| Width | 7 Inches |
| Length | 4 Inches |
| Weight | 3.5 Pounds |