Fire ants can be a nuisance in the home, especially if you have pets and children. There are over-the-counter pesticides that you can use to control them. However, this solution is not always satisfactory. There are many other powerful solutions, including the use of ant dust, ant killer granules and yard treatment bait. Below, we discuss these fire ant killers plus home remedies that you can use to get rid of fire ants once and for all.
The most Effective Methods for Getting rid of Fire Ants in 2022
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Most Effective: Ortho Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules
This powerful ant killer is great at preventing new mounds and treating already existing ones. As you understand, fire ants can be adamant as long as the fire ant queen still exists. This solution, however, will begin to work on the population as soon as 15 minutes after application. Also, this ant killer can be used throughout the year, but one application can prevent fire ants for up to six months. If you want something for the long term, then this product is the one to use to get rid of fire ants.
Runner Up: Amdro Yard Treatment for Fire Ants
This fire ant treatment comes in a five-pound bag and can be used to treat areas up to 10,000 square feet. The treatment lasts the entire year, meaning that the yard owner does not have to worry about new mounds forming. This solution, therefore, is effective, especially if you have persistent fire ants in your compound. It can even take down underground fire ant mounds. It is recommended that this treatment solution be applied during early spring mornings as this is when the fire ants are the most active. It works in a straightforward way. The worker ants will carry the bait back to the fire ant queen, which will lead to the death of the entire colony. It is also worth noting that this treatment is better not used in the rainy season as the water reduces its effectiveness.
Best for budget: Terro Ant Dust
This is the best fire ant killer if you are looking for something that will work in crevices and cracks. This waterproof ant dust is waterproof and works well in moist areas of the house, such as the basement and foundation. To top it all up, it can control red ant populations for up to eight months as long as the ants come into contact with the dust. It is effective both for fire & carpenter ants. Applying the ant killer is simple. All you have to do is shake the can so that the dust fills the cracks. The dust can be used both indoors and outdoors, and the results will be the same. It works not for fire ants alone, but other ant species and insects as well
Best Natural: Cayenne Pepper
You can make your fire ant killer using cayenne pepper powder and cayenne pepper. The first step involves bringing a quart of water to boil. After, you pour the boiling water into a glass jar containing four to five sliced cayenne peppers. This mixture should sit for up to 24 hours, which gives it a chance to steep before you can put it to use.
To protect and get rid of fire ants by preventing them from leaving their mound, sprinkle cayenne pepper all around. The next step is to pour the cayenne pepper solution into the mount. The ants will die, and the place will become inhabitable, thus solving the problem. This solution can also be applied around the home when you find fire ants.
Effective home solutions
- Lemon water
- Vinegar and baking powder solution
Do-It-Yourself Solutions to Get Rid of Fire Ants
Baiting: Baiting is a slow-acting kind of solution. However, it is 80 to 90% effective in controlling fire ant populations.
The method involves lacing baits with pesticides and then leaving it for the ants to take the tainted bait to the colony. The fire ant queen fire ant mound and the other ants will consume the bait, which slows down its reproduction. The bait eventually kills her and the colony. This option is not as toxic as the bait is spread over a large area.
For this method to be completely effective, the ants should be foraging. Ensure that you do not use these baits during the rainy season as the rain degrades the bait.
Drenching Fire Ant Mounds: The second do-it-yourself solution involves drenching the fire ant mound. This solution is especially applicable if the fire ants have moved into the home or to areas where they are posing a danger to humans and animals.
The drenching method can utilize the granule and liquid solutions that we described above. However, be careful and fast when using these solutions so that the ants do not bite you.
For the liquid, you will need a hand pump sprayer a bucket and a broom handle. You will also need protective gear to handle the product.
Mix up to a gallon of the solution. Using the hand pump sprayer, cover the area around the mound so that you can control the foraging ants. You will then mix two more gallons of the solution in the bucket then use a broom handle to poke a hole through the ant mound. Pour the solution in the bucket into the mound, ensuring that no spill-over could run to other areas. When this is done, you should move away from the area and let the solution work as needed.
For the granules, you will need a bucket and a broom handle. First, apply some granules 3 feet around the colony so that you disarm the foragers. The next step involves applying the granules on the mound according to the instructions on the product. Pour water on the mound to soak the granules then use the broom handle to break the apex of the mound and let the solution flow into the tunnels. This solution works best when the weather is cool, such as in the morning and evening.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution: You will mix baking soda and vinegar in equal parts. This solution is then poured into the ant colony so that it repels them. Alternatively, you can keep it and spray it when you notice ants around the home. The vinegar solution only works to turn them away for a few hours, so you will have to take extra measures to get rid of them totally
Lemon water: This method involves mixing equal amounts of water and lemon juice then spraying the mixtures in areas with high traffic of fire ants. Just like with the vinegar, you will have to spray more than once and use additional methods to rid your surroundings of fire ants completely.
What kind of spray will help to get rid of fire ants?
You can use liquid ant control pesticides such as Eco Defense Organic Home Pest Control to deal with fire ants. Another option would be to make dish soap and orange oil solution that is effective at killing them.
What ECO spray will help?
You can use liquid ant control pesticides such as Eco Defense Organic Home Pest Control to deal with fire ants. Another option would be to make dish soap and orange oil solution that is effective at killing them.
Interesting Facts about Fire Ants
- There are single-queen and multiple-queen territories. In a single queen territory, workers forage within the bounds of their territories; the reverse is true for multiple-queen territories where workers move freely.
- There can be approximately 40 to 150 mounds per acre in areas with single queen colonies. The numbers go higher when there are multiple-queen colonies (up to 200 or more mounds).
- A colony of fire ants may contain up to 200,000 of them.
- The worker ants in fire ant colonies are female.
- The mounds lead to tunnels that go as deep as 25 miles underground.
How to Prevent Fire Ants
- Clear food remains.
Ants come into homes because they sense the availability of foods. Storing foods appropriately and cleaning the house prevents them from coming into the house. - Clear the water in your surroundings
Ants will camp in an area with water, especially when the weather is dry. If you have leaking faucets, get them fixed. - Do not squash ants
Squashing fire ants triggers the release of oleic acid. This attracts them, and they rush to the fallen worker ant. Also, they may react by scattering around the area, which is not helpful. Instead, apply the numerous solutions discussed to get rid of them.
FAQ
WHERE DO FIRE ANTS COME FROM?
Red and black fire ants are native to South America. However, today they thrive in North America as well as a result of accidental importation through Alabama’s port of Mobile. Other fire ant species are native to North America.
WHAT DO FIRE ANTS EAT?
The diet of fire ants depends on the species. Southern fire ants eat greasy foods and proteins while red fire ants eat animals, plants and dead insects.
HOW DANGEROUS ARE FIRE ANTS?
Fire ants sting and inject a venom known as solenopsin. The body reacts to the bite forming a welt. However, apart from the burning, irritation, and itching, fire ant bites are not dangerous. Over time, some people become allergic to the venom, so if you are un a fire ant-infested region, having anti-histamines could be a lifesaver.
HOW DO I IDENTIFY A FIRE ANT MOUND?
In the paragraphs above, you may have noticed that the instructions for treating this kind of ant mound required a broomstick for opening the mound. The primary difference between fire ant mounds and those of other ants is the lack of an opening at the top.
DOES VINEGAR KILL FIRE ANTS?
Vinegar repels fire ants more than it kills them. This means that you will either have to apply a more potent solution or use vinegar repeatedly for the best results.
