Texas A&M experts offer tips on how to get rid of fire ants

Are fire ant mounds popping up in yards, gardens or pastures? As temperatures rise, so does fire ant activity. 

The good news is science-backed ways to control fire ants can eliminate entire colonies, not just the visible ones.

Dr. Robert Puckett, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist and associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Entomology, has helped landowners across Texas and around the world fight red imported fire ants. He offers expert advice for getting rid of fire ants’ annoying mounds and fiery stings.

“There are a few reliable research-backed options and approaches when it comes to fire ant control,” he said. “It just comes down to how quickly you want results and your budget to reach the desired level of protection.”

Puckett’s recommended annual fire ant treatment method costs about $25 to $35 per acre.

What is the best way to control fire ants?

Puckett said the most effective way to control fire ants is to use granular fire ant bait.

Fire ant mounds are the clearest sign of a colony and its underground activity. 

New colonies start when flying queens mate, land and dig into the soil to lay eggs. This means new colonies can start even if  visible, established colonies are routinely treated.

Granular baits work because worker ants pick up the bait and carry it back to the colony to feed other ants – including the queen. This method eliminates the entire colony.

“Studies have shown time after time fire ants have an extremely efficient foraging behavior and dominate those baits,” Puckett said.

How long does it take bait to work?

Puckett said store-bought baits vary in price and how quickly they work. In general, the cost of bait typically reflects how quickly it eliminates a colony.

Lower-cost baits may take six to eight weeks to eliminate a colony, while more expensive ones usually work in less than a week.

“There is really just a cost-versus-time-to-kill-de-
cision matrix to consider when using baits,” he said. “But I am confident in our field research which tells me using these products is effective. Some just take longer.”

How should you apply ant bait?

Puckett recommends a few key steps when applying bait.

Sprinkle bait around the mound’s perimeter rather than directly on the mound. When disturbed, ants go into defense mode and won’t collect bait.

Apply bait when temperatures are about 70 degrees Fahrenheit or above. This is when ants are actively foraging.

Check the forecast and avoid applying bait within 48 hours of rain.

Broadcast bait around the yard once or twice a year. This routine will help treat visible mounds and new colonies that aren’t visible.

Follow the label. The typical application is one to 1.5 pounds per acre. Using more is wasteful and doesn’t improve results.

 What are some organic or garden-safe options?

When controlling ants in a vegetable bed or for individuals who prefer an organic approach, Puckett recommends using products containing spinosad. These products are the best alternatives to insecticides with synthetic active ingredients.

Another option is to slowly pour boiling water onto the mound and stir with a stick, but this method requires caution and often repeated attempts.

Adam Russell is a communications specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife. This article was originally published by AgriLifeToday on March 10.