1. Controlling Fire Ants in Urban Areas
Nathan Riggs, Extension Agent-IPM
Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Bexar County
Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Plan

2. Estimated Future and Current Range of Red Imported Fire Ants
Too Cold In Winter!!!
(15ºF)
~1920

3. Homestead

4. Fire Ants……………Good?!? Fire ants attacking a pink bollworm
With all of their bad qualities, it is difficult to believe fire ants can do anything beneficial. Fire ants are very aggressive hunters and will prey upon anything they can subdue. Protein sources and oils are their favorite foods, but they also eat oily seeds and even sweets.
In agriculture, fire ants prey upon important crop pests in cotton, corn, sugar cane, and grain sorghum fields. It has even been noted that their presence in a field can reduce the number of insecticide applications needed to control insect pests during the growing season.
Fire ants prey heavily on ticks and have reduced their numbers dramatically where they normally occur. To a lesser extent, fleas have experienced this same outcome.

5. Fire Ant Control Strategies
*Two-Step Method (Twice per Year)
Heavy Infestations  20 or more mounds per acre
Broadcast Bait Only (1 - 1½ pounds per acre)
Individual Mound (Spot) Treatments
Light Infestations  Up to 20 mounds per acre
No Ant Method ()
For situations where NO ants are allowed  Allergic persons, golf courses, special gatherings

6. Fire Ant Baits

7. Tips for Applying Fire Ant Bait Insecticides
BAIT MUST BE FRESH!
Temperature must be between 70ºF and 95ºF.
Grass must be dry (Soil can be moist)
No rain expected for hours after application
Do Not mix bait with fertilizer or use push-type spreaders
DO NOT DISTURB THE MOUND!

8. Organic and Non-Chemical Alternatives
Organic Options
Pyrethrins Plus Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
DE alone (Horticultural Type Only)
Citrus Oil Solutions, Rotenone, and Others
Physical and Mechanical Options
Hot/Boiling Water (60% kill on FRESH Mounds Only)
Shoveling (Use talcum powder on handle)
Shade (Fire ants won’t live in the shade)

9. Fire Ant Control Strategies
Community Program
Group Participation
Agree on Control Strategy
Respect Differences
Reduce insecticides up to 75%!!!
$aves Money! (Avg. Cost per Homeowner: $5 for 6 to 12 months of LOWER to NO fire ants)

10. Safety of Bait Applications
Baits pose NO hazard to children, pets, birds, earthworms when properly applied.
Do not apply baits directly to streams or lakes.

11. Product Safety Information
Ascend® Fire Ant Bait
Logic/Award®
AMDRO/Combat®
0.5% Dursban™
5% diazinon
Sevin® dust
Orthene® dust
LD50*
~409 lbs.
~252 lbs.
~103 lbs.
~8 lbs.
~4 lbs.
~1 lb.
~4.8 OZ!
Birds/Mammals
+- / +-
+ / +
- / -
-- / --
+ / -
-- / -- (+ Fish)
* These numbers are estimated for a 150 lb human - LD50 is the dose needed to kill 50% of a test population

12. Home Remedies To Control Fire Ants
Product Effect, If Any
Gasoline/Diesel DON’T DO IT!!!
Home Cleaning Agents DON’T DO IT!!!
Grits, Cornmeal, Flour, etc Moves the Mound
NOT DEADLY TO ANTS 

13. Fire Ant Management Alternatives
Biological Control Options?
Preserve “Desirable” Ants
Natural Enemies from South America

15. Fire Ant Project Website

16. Texas Ag. Extension Service
Bexar County Office
3427 Northeast Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78218
(210) or 6578
Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Plan

17. The information given herein is for educational purposes only
The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service or the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station is implied.
Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.