They came from South America sometime in the 1930s and made themselves right at home. Fire ants infest most of the southeastern United States. If you are new to the area it takes only seconds to be introduced to them. After that, they are close to the most hated critter on the planet. There are tons of home remedies to fight fire ants but try to stick to the ones that have some science behind them. Remember that this is a process, not an event.
Tools to kill fire ants include baits and contact killers that are both synthetic and all-natural. Also included is a biological called beneficial nematodes. I have used most of them and found baits like “Come n Get It” and “Amdro” to be very effective. Please read and follow the label directions. I would add that if you disturb the mound with a tool (not your foot, hand, elbow, etc.) before the application you will get a better kill. Contact killers such as Surrender (Acephate, the white stinky powder), Diatomaceous earth, Boric acid, and orange oil work better after the mound has been disturbed. I have found beneficial nematodes to be a better preventative than curative. But it is a lot of fun to tell friends that you have millions of microscopic worms that parasitize and kill insects in the refrigerator.
Mound drenches are extremely effective after rain when the ground water level is high. The ants come to the top of the mound to keep from drowning. This is where I have found orange oil works the best. It is available in pints, quarts, and gallons.
Beneficial nematodes will kill fire ants. They do tend to be a better preventative than curative. It is a lot of fun to tell friends that you have millions of microscopic segmented worms that parasitize and kill insects in your refrigerator.
It’s not uncommon for fire ants to make a nest in the outside breaker box for an A/C unit. Preventing this condition is way cheaper than curing it. This is where insecticidal ear tags for cattle come in. Place one in the breaker box and it will last the season.
It’s about this time when folks ask “what about dried molasses?” Well, there is a bunch of information on the web about dried molasses killing and or displacing ants, including fire ants. Look at the research carefully and make an informed decision.
Where do fire ants come from? Learn more here.
Fire Ant Products available from Wells Brothers:
- Come & Get It
- Amdro
- Over n Out
- Surrender
- Orange Oil
- Diatomaceous Earth
- Boric Acid
- Beneficial Nematodes
- Knock Out Nematodes
- Dried Molasses