Farm & Home
Ag Line: Fire Ants
By Wade Parker
County Extension Coordinator

The last few days or weeks have felt like the end of September instead of October. With the continuation of warm weather, I have noticed many fire ant mounds in people's yards. I counted as many as ten mounds in my yard. Not only are fire ants poisonous to humans, but they can be detrimental to landscape plants too. As you scout your yard for fire ant mounds, look very closely at the base of ornamental trees and shrubs. Ornamental trees are very tempting to fire ants because the root structure makes it easy for ants to tunnel into the ground. If left uncontrolled, fire ants could cause death to the tree or shrub.

For the most part, fire ants are a "people pest" because they often occupy the same areas where we work, live and play. It is estimated that about 40 million people are in potential conflict with fire ants, almost on a daily basis.

Fire ants are so named because their venom induces a painful, fiery sensation. When disturbed, fire ants are very aggressive. The ant grips the skin with its mandibles, or jaws, and stings its victim several times in a circular pattern around the point of mandible attachment. Because of the ant's aggressive nature and capacity for multiple stings, an attack usually results in several stings.

What is the best way to control fire ants? This question could have several answers. The first thing homeowners need to do is scout their lawn and determine the location of mounds, number to be treated, potential for human exposure to ants, and which chemical should be used.

If only one or two mounds have been found, a treatment of orthene (acephate) will do a great job controlling the ants for that mound. A treatment of one teaspoon per mound is enough to kill the queen and will ultimately kill all remaining soldiers. If several mounds are scattered in the yard, a broadcast treatment of fipronil or bifenthrin will do an excellent job controlling ants. This treatment will leave at least a ninemonth residual for future control. These products need to have rainfall or irrigation for activation.

There are several other treatments one can use to control fire ants. I recommend that homeowners evaluate each product to achieve the desired results.

Fire ants can be a serious safety threat to people and animals, especially small children. Small children do not realize the danger that ants pose to them. Taking a few minutes to control these pests will be a wise investment of time and money!

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