Help! Zillions of ants! I think they're fire ants

Well I guess I've got a problem then. I've got at least five acres where I have seen several mounds. Corn meal/grits sounds cheap... I'll pick up some at wally world.

Oh wow, please say I won't be stuck with these nasty bugs forever!

digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

Most ants can't swallow solid food at all.

Grits will not make them explode

Chemicals are the only reliable treatment for Fire Ants because unless you kill the Queen, you haven't accomplished anything at all

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Thanks everyone...........! I appreciate your help.

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

What chemical? Should I hire a professional? I could try calling the Extension Service. I need help. I have a big bag of DE. We had rain all summer and now it's dry as a bone.

digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

They might not make them explode, but every time I have used corn meal, the numbers have dropped. This is one of those times when I have to shrug shoulders and say that the people who know don't know everything.

Terro is an ant bait used to kill ant queens with fantastic results. I've tried making it on my own, using the ingredients on the container and instructions on the net, but dang if the real Terro works and my stuff just "sorta" works.

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George Washington did not run and hide.

I don't know if you saw my post but when we lived in Louisiana we used Bengal Ant Killer. It was the only thing that we found that actually worked on fire ants. You just sprinkled it on the mound and by the next day they were dead. And it was good because you didn't have to use water like many of the other ant killers.

I read your post. I looked up Terro and it didn't say anything about fire ants. I will get some. I have to do something. They are everywhere.

Thanks.

digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

Okay, I went to Bengal's site. Bengal's Fire Ant Killer. A teaspoon around the mound and it does kill the queen. And it's water repellent.

I just ordered some. Thanks so much.

digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

....and if this doesn't work there, which it probably will..It is great for a drain cleaner. You won't believe the difference in your drains.

Fire ants have invaded my large (6'X4') outdoor worm bin. I've been spraying around the outside, but not the contents of the bin, since I don't want to poison the worms. Was wondering if DE would hurt the worms as well. I'll try the corn meal first. It's going to be hard to harvest the worm castings when just coming within a few feet of the bin results in multiple bites.

Yep, that's what we use too and now we don't have any fireants!

The stuff STINKS, but it works.

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I'm running so far behind I thought I was first!

http://hickahala.blogspot.com/

.....................87 octane on top of mound is the fastest and bestest fire ant killer around ! , fordy

I believe DE kills soft bodied worms; larvae. I wouldn't try it.

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

Today my son mowed the back 2 and we found several little mounds. ugh. Then we moved an old wringer washer I had on the back porch (haha)... and when the boys took the wringer head off it was loaded with wasp nests and the biggest wasps I've ever seen. (We grow 'em good here.) We waited until they weren't so ----ed off and poured lamp oil on the nest and burned it. Worked good! lol. Then they were hanging around the wringer washer I use thinking it was the old one, I guess.

They congregated up above the washer in the rafters. I think there must have been fifty or more. Finally I called my neighbor and he killed them dead with Raid.

What a summer. We had so much rain, it seems every day. Now it's dry. Bug heaven.



digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

My husband was mowing the grass one time and was going to move the kids' swing set. When he jiggled it hundreds of wasps came flying out of one of the end poles. I've never seen him run so fast!
In our new house we noticed a couple of wasps flying around so we told the exterminator. They found yellow jacket nest behind five of our shutters.

The best and cheapest ant killer that I have ever used is Basic H. It was originally made over 50 years ago as a multi-purpose cleaner but it immediately kills those pesky ants! And I can use it anywhere because it is non-toxic. www-help-me-get-rid-of-ants.com

I used Basic H years ago, but not for ants. This may be something MARYDVM to consider.

Thanks,

digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

I'll have to admit that after all settled down, I kinda felt sorry for them. They kept looking for their nest and never stung us, which they had plenty of opportunity to do so.

I just don't like them. I am allergic to bees and I don't know about wasps. I've had them in the swing set before and my son got stung several times all at once while playing; so you never know.

digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek

Best stuff I have found for killing the mound which is what you want to do. You sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of the powder on the mound and leave it be. Do not water it in. The ants take the powder down to the queen and in a couple of days the mound dies.

You do not want the mound to "move" which is what they will do if not completely killed off. I have a farm in Ga. and every once in a while I have to deal with a fire ant mound or ten (yes they can multiply that fast). Stay away from the mound, those things can swarm you and cause an allergic reaction if you are even slightly allergic to bee stings, etc.

I've tried everything having dealt with the problem for more than 30 years living in GA. I have figured out that you learn to sort of live with them and if they are located in an area where there is little traffic, I ignore them (in the woods, etc.). If they are in the yard or in the paddocks or anywhere around the barn, I am going to do my best to get rid of them. Especially if you have littles that can possible toddle into the mound, make it your primary mission in life to get rid of the mounds.

Here is a good source of info:

http://www.extension.org/pages/11004...ntable-version

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Be yourself - no one can tell you that you're doing it wrong!

I read where the UT Extension Service here is assisting farmers in destroying fire ants. I think I will call them and see if they can help.

Thanks. I bought the Bengal's Fire Ant Killer.

I'm going to try that first.

digApony

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"Of course there is a light at the end of the tunnel; another train is approaching there". ~ Slavoj Zizek