No homeowner or gardener wants to deal with painful and dangerous fire ants on their property. Fire ants are unsightly and can inflict excruciating pain on their victims. While most commonly found in the Southern region of the United States, fire ants can be a nuisance in many different places. Below we will cover several options to kill fire ants quickly and efficiently.
Eliminate Hospitable Areas and Food Sources
Fire ants are no different than any other animal; they need food, water, and shelter to survive. Eliminating just one of the necessary elements above can help to avoid a fire ant infestation from starting. Fire ants will typically build tunnels and mounds in and around some natural cover. Garden edging, brick pavers, wooden ties, and garden hoses are just a few examples of cover that are attractive to fire ants. Removing any possible breeding ground is the first step to eliminating future infestations.
Fire ants also need food and water to survive. Removing all water sources will go a long way in combatting the painful pests. Fire ants will travel for moisture but will prefer to nest next to it. Downspouts, leaky hoses, and sprinkler heads are excellent sources of water for fire ants. Eliminating even the most minor leak or drip will remove one more possible breeding ground for ants.
Fire ants are omnivores and will digest plant or animal material. Eliminating food sources outdoors can be difficult. Trashcans are ideal sources of food for ants. Ensure that all food waste is bagged and properly disposed of. If fire ants are found in a garden, remove any fallen fruit or vegetables from the ground and dispose of any decaying plant materials. Homeowners should also elevate pet food off of the ground if it is going to be left outside. If you enjoy dining outdoors, wipe down table surfaces and remove any crumbs or food that may have fallen during the meal.
Eliminating Existing Fire Ant Colonies – Bait and Poison
Removing housing, water, and food from ants is a homeowner’s first line of defense in preventing fire ants. It is impossible that a homeowner can avoid all fire ant colonies. If a fire ant mound exists on your property, two options are recommended to eliminate the pests.
Fire Ant Bait
Fire ant bait is the most common and frequently recommended solution for killing a fire ant colony. Most ant bait products come in a granular form and are applied on top of and around the mound. Ant baits are either scented with a sweet or protein smell to attract the ants. After worker ants locate the bait, the granules are taken into the underground colony and shared with other ants and the queen.
The secret to ant bait’s effectiveness is the slow-killing poison that is used. Hydramethylnon is a common slow-acting poison that can take up to three days to kill its ant victims. Fire ant baits cannot kill ants too quickly, as the poison will not have adequate time to spread throughout the colony. The longer the bait has time to spread, the more likely it is to kill the entire colony, ending the infestation. It is essential to eliminate the queen fire ant to kill the whole colony. Using a fire ant bait offers the best odds of destroying the entire infestation.
Fire Ant Poison
Fire ant poisons are designed to quickly kill all ants that come into contact with the product. Most poison products come in either a powder or an aerosol form. Powder poison products are best for controlling fire ant mounds and infestations. Aerosol products are ideal for eliminating visible ants in an area but will not offer any long-term control or kill the colony.
The significant difference between bait and poison is that poison is designed to eliminate the fire ant rapidly. Poison can be transferred from ant-to-ant contact but may not reach deep into the colony. Fire ant poisons rarely encounter the queen, as she never leaves the colony. Poisons are ideal for short-term rapid ant control in an area where Homeowners should use bait products for the long-term elimination of colonies.