Fire ants are aggressive pests that can sting you multiple times if you enter their territory. Unfortunately, for many homeowners who live in warm, humid areas, that area may be their backyard.
According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), these little buggers were only introduced to the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. They are now considered an invasive species, plaguing areas from Virginia to New Mexico and even California and Puerto Rico.
Do you need to get rid of fire ants? Here’s how pest control experts say you should.
How can I get rid of fire ants quickly?
The quickest way to get rid of fire ants is to apply liquid mound drench insecticide or use a fast-acting granular bait. DIY ways to remove them without using chemicals include pouring a solution of hot water or dish soap over the pile. These techniques can kill the mound and surrounding ants, but may not be enough to eradicate the entire colony.
“If you don’t address your fire ant problem early, they can quickly establish multiple colonies on your property,” says Rick Culbreth Jr., a third-generation exterminator and president of Yates Astro Termination and Pest Control, a family-owned company in Savannah, Georgia.
How to identify fire ants
Fire ants are reddish-brown in color and measure 2 to 6 millimeters, or the size of a pencil tip to a pencil eraser.
Their reddish coloration is one of their distinguishing features, but perhaps the most obvious indicator is their behavior. If you brush a fire ant mound, they will swarm and bite you.
Where are fire ants usually found?
“Fire ants prefer sunny, open areas where the soil is moist and they tend to form mounds,” Culbreth says. Colonies of fire ants may be found on lawns, spread out in fields, in garden flower beds, under playgrounds, and hidden in crawl spaces.
It thrives in warm, moist areas where moisture is present, as the soil allows it to tunnel more easily. Warmer, moist soil maintains proper temperatures within the colony for the queen and larvae.
“Fire ants emerge during the warmer months of spring and beyond, when temperatures rise and create ideal conditions for colony growth and expansion,” Culbreath said. This means that fire ant activity begins to increase from April to May.
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What do fire ant mounds look like?
Fire ant mounds look like small, fluffy mounds of dirt. There is no visible hole at the top like other types of anthills. On the lawn, the mound may look like a bald spot without grass.
Comparison of fire ant extermination methods
Because fire ants are so widespread, the goal is to control them, not necessarily eradicate them.
The most effective fire ant treatments are multifaceted, targeting individual mounds and applying treatments more broadly. For example, pour mound treatment on all visible mounds, but you can also use bait traps to kill queens.
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bait trap
Fire ant bait traps use slow- or fast-acting insecticides that foraging ants carry back to the colony and queen. Although this treatment is designed to treat an entire area, it can provide significant fire ant control when applied correctly.
Mound processing
Individual mound treatments are an effective way to target backyard fire ant infestations because they are more labor intensive and likely to use more insecticide than other approaches. Mound treatments can kill fire ant colonies in just a few hours, making them a quick solution for homeowners.
The downside to mound treatments is that the insecticide only kills the ants it touches, so it’s best done with a more extensive bait station treatment.
DIY method
Common DIY fire ant control methods include pouring a solution of hot water, vinegar, or dish soap over the mound. These non-chemical solutions are suitable and effective for small scale infestations. However, if you have multiple mounds, that may not be enough.
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Fire Ant Safety Tips
If you notice signs of fire ants in your garden, take note. These ants sting when the mound is disturbed.
- Find out what fire ants and their mounds look like
- Do not disturb known fire anthills
- When moving brush, wood, and other debris, be aware that fire ants may be underneath
- Wear protective footwear and clothing
- Handle pesticides carefully and apply according to instructions
- Keep a first aid kit handy
If you get stung, wash your skin with soap and water, apply ice or a cold cloth, and consider using an over-the-counter antihistamine. Some people have severe allergic reactions to fire ant stings, so seek medical attention if necessary.
How to prevent fire ants
The best way to keep fire ants at bay is to keep your garden clean, and NPIC says you should:
- Empty the trash regularly
- Don’t leave trash in the garden
- Put away dog and cat food
- Spray insecticides on individual mounds or use treatments throughout the garden
- For uncontrollable pest infestations, contact a professional pest control company.
“The best thing to do is to keep your yard and crawl space clean and maintained,” Culbreth says. Be sure to manage any potential fire ant habitat, such as vegetation, mulch, and wooden stakes.
Professional and DIY fire ant removal
If you only have one mound, you may be able to manage the colony with DIY fire ant control methods. But if you have a large-scale infestation without your knowledge, or if you fail to remove the queen, your fire ant problem can quickly get out of hand.
“Professional treatment is recommended for these pests, as DIY treatments often only partially resolve the problem,” Culbreth says. “Hiring an expert on fire ant problems can help the entire colony, including the queen, to prevent further infestation.”
FAQ
Which U.S. states have fire ants?
According to the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project at Texas A&M University, fire ants have invaded 260 million acres of land in nine U.S. states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. It can also be found in California.
What happens if you are bitten by a fire ant?
Fire ant bites often occur on the feet and legs and look like circular welts that blister. Welts form within an hour, followed by blisters. After a day, it fills with a yellow or white pus-like fluid. It is often itchy, burning, and painful, but it disappears on its own within 10 days.
Can Dawn dish detergent kill fire ants?
Dawn’s dish detergent mixture can be used as a DIY fire ant killer. Mix 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap in 1 quart of water and pour it directly onto the mound. Please note that this solution is best for small colonies and will not eradicate larger infestations.
What do fire ants hate?
Fire ants do not like strong odors, such as mint or citrus, that interfere with pheromone-based communication. They may also be repelled by plants such as lavender, marigolds, and chrysanthemums.
Can vinegar kill fire ants overnight?
No, vinegar will not kill a fire ant colony overnight. Although vinegar may kill ants that come into contact with it, the vinegar may not penetrate deep enough.
