FIRE ANTS

[jyoutz]

We don’t have fire ants where I live. But we do get black ants that build mounds. I like to mix gasoline and diesel with a little used motor oil. Pour this into the mounds and light. The diesel and motor oil prolongs the burn time so it cooks them all. It also prevents the gasoline from exploding in a quick whoomf.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I'm in fire ant country. Know people that they've killed.
They don't like mixing the colonies with a shovel. So, I do it. Just a small scoop will do.

Get a bucket or bag you can wear over your shoulder. Get a walking stick. Put some plain old Tide washing detergent. Tap the mound with stick to get them stirred up. Sprinkle hand full of Tide on mound. Just plain old washing powder, the cheapest in the box.

 

[workinonit]

Fire ants here in the Pee Dee of SC are terrible. I haven't had fire ants on my place for 12 years or more. I spray Regent. I treat about 6 acres. I apply 1 oz per acre and it will last at least 2 years and sometimes up to 5. I just keep watch on the perimeters and when I start seeing invasion I spray again that year. The stuff is expensive but worth 5 times ever penny. The thing about Regent is it's labeled as a potato herbicide.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Fire ants here in the Pee Dee of SC are terrible. I haven't had fire ants on my place for 12 years or more. I spray Regent. I treat about 6 acres. I apply 1 oz per acre and it will last at least 2 years and sometimes up to 5. I just keep watch on the perimeters and when I start seeing invasion I spray again that year. The stuff is expensive but worth 5 times ever penny. The thing about Regent is it's labeled as a potato herbicide.

Regent insecticide is a brand name of 'Fipronil', which is one of the products I mentioned in my earlier post. It does work well for fire ants.

 

[workinonit]

Yep. That I know. Most people don't relate to chemical names. Give them a product name and they can find it.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Fire ants here in the Pee Dee of SC are terrible. I haven't had fire ants on my place for 12 years or more. I spray Regent. I treat about 6 acres. I apply 1 oz per acre and it will last at least 2 years and sometimes up to 5. I just keep watch on the perimeters and when I start seeing invasion I spray again that year. The stuff is expensive but worth 5 times ever penny. The thing about Regent is it's labeled as a potato herbicide.

Sorry everyone... Workinonit, your reference to Pee Dee caught my attention. My people come from Hemmingway not too far from you, I've been in the Pee Dee river. That area is a special place to me. Just had to interject and say hi.

Also, I hate fire ants. Now this post fits . Continue on.

 

[RalphVa]

Anyone have good ideas on what to do about fire ants. I think I have a mound every 6 feet in my pasture. You hay guys in the south have to have something.

In Louisiana we used to buy this fine pellet stuff and sprinkle it onto the mounds. Think it was yellow.

 

[Username Taken]

We use Amdro down here. Sprinkle it around the hill and they'll start taking it down into the nest where it poisons the Queen and her evil spawn. Be careful not to sprinkle it ON the nest, they'll think they're being attacked and move it away and ignore it.

It's not perfect, it doesn't work all the time every time. They'll eventually come back. But it can choke them down for a while and if you keep it up, they'll move to a better neighborhood.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
4. Some treatment options will last longer than others. Fipronil will last longer (up to a year) is more expensive, and is more specific to certain species. Bifenthrin won't last as long, but will kill many more insects, such as mosquitoes, and army worms, and is less expensive.

I usually use bifenthrin because I like that it gets mosquitoes. There are other options.

Please always read and follow the label on any pesticides you use.

Both fipronil and bifenthrin are on the list of Restricted Use Product. Which means you may need a LICENSE to buy or use, depending on your state.
Licenses for this stuff may be easy or difficult to get.
But due to "the virus that must not be named" at least one state offers licensing via an online course, Mississippi.
I took the course last year.
Fairly easy, cost was about $20(?), took me a few hours at the laptop in my easy chair.
I is now a licensed "Mississippi Private Pesticide Applicator" and it has reciprocity with many states.

 

[Spike56]

Anyone have good ideas on what to do about fire ants. I think I have a mound every 6 feet in my pasture. You hay guys in the south have to have something.

I UNDERSTAND ! I buy AMDRO ant BAIT and use. Right now, in Texas is a great time to feed them. They get active but don't have a lot of other bugs to eat. I find the best price I can, think right NOW, 2 lbs best price is at Tractor Supply ? I hate even buying a 2 LB container though. I find that the humidity will render it much less effective if you dont put it all out the same time. A bit more $ but I try to buy 1 lb at a time.
Good Luck !