Is There an Easy Way to Kill Fire Ants?

Hamatas cannot be strewn around at any time. They need to be organized at a time when workers are most likely to find and collect healthy food. It is best to use the seeds in the fall or spring, when they are cool and dry in the morning. Make sure no rain is expected for at least eight hours or the bait will be washed away. The first worker ant should reach the food in about half an hour or less.

Step Two: Driving the Ramps

This process is far more dangerous than throwing bait, because fire ants will suddenly attack any colony they perceive – including humans. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long socks to reduce the chance of fire ant stings. Although there are many commercial fire ants available, always check with your local authorities to make sure the chemical is not regulated. If so, an exterminator must be hired.

Also, perfusion should be done on a cold morning or in the spring, when the workers are closer to the surface where it is warmer. In the afternoon, the top of the soil is too hot, and the ants are useless at perusing the lower parts of the colony. The pond must be slowly built over the fire ant mound. It is recommended to use liquid to break the opening. The larger the diameter of the mound, the more water is required. Use one gallon of water for every six inches that is estimated to be a mound.

Sources

Desert Museum. “The Imported Red Fire Ant.”