Help !!! Fire Ants !!!

[bmg88201]

I have been battling fire ants lately. I’ve been using a product called “Surrender“. What is happening is all the ants do is move 10 feet and start again. Can anybody recommend a product that works well. Damn fire ants !!!!

 

[Torvy]

I have been battling fire ants lately. I’ve been using a product called “Surrender“. What is happening is all the ants do is move 10 feet and start again. Can anybody recommend a product that works well. Damn fire ants !!!!

Just find some of those people who think we should stop growing real food and eat bugs. Sell them "you pick 'em fire ants".

 

[Eagle1]

My solution after 20 years, move to some place they are not yet....
You know how nice it was no to jump after stepping on a soft spot?

 

[DGZRT]

Bifen. Best stuff ever.

 

[check 6]

I’ve had great success with behr powder in the blue plastic bottle

 

[tacticalturnip]

I’ve had great success with behr powder in the blue plastic bottle

I don't remember for sure, but when I was living in Texas I think this is what I was using. After the first time the dog got into a nest it was game over for those bastards.

 

[bmg88201]

Thanks for the tips. I searched Bifen and found it but what the heck is behr ?

 

[Torvy]

 

[Torvy]

This would be better:

 

[t1kilo]

Try Extinguish Pro Plus. It’s a two part bait that lasts for several months. Takes a few weeks to really take effect, but once it does, you will be happy with the results. Broadcast 2 pounds per acre for best results.

Edit: I use bifen too. Extinguish only every couple of years. Bifen every 3 to 4 months. Great stuff!

 

[check 6]

Thanks for correcting me it is Bayer not Bahr fire ant killer once in a while Lowes Carrie’s it I normally order through Amazon in the spring

 

[dieselscout80]

How big is your yard?

Esteem fire ant bait is another good option that I use here in SC.

I buy a 25 pound bag of it for 14 acres. I’m not sure what other size bags it comes in though.

 

[Hughman]

Hot melted aluminum makes for some nice artwork.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I have been a licensed commercial applicator for about 40 years. Every year, I treat many athletic fields for fire ants. I almost always use bifenthrin, because it also helps with mosquitoes, army worms and several other insects. However, it does not have very much residual activity, so ants will eventually move back into a treated area from untreated areas.

The key to fire ant control is to broadcast the entire area. Treating individual mounds is never very effective.

Another product that is very effective and has longer residual is the active ingredient Fipronil. It will keep ants out for up to a year. It is more expensive than bifenthrin, and is more specific to ants. It doesn't treat mosquitoes, army worms and other insects.

 

[bmg88201]

Wow, I’ve been given some really good advice here. My place is only 3 acres. I have heard of Fipronil before also. I’ll see what is available locally from the products mentioned here before having to order anything online. Thanks for the helpful responses.

 

[bmg88201]

Just find some of those people who think we should stop growing real food and eat bugs. Sell them "you pick 'em fire ants".

What do you think I should charge for “You pick’em fire ants” ?

 

[JethroB]

I’ve always used Amdro for fire ant mounds with decent success. The trick seems to be to NOT disturb the mound when treating otherwise the ants will treat the bait as an intruder and haul it off rather than taking it into the mound for food. The active ingredient is hydramethylnon.

I’ll try Complete Turf Cares recomendations next. He is a pro and lives near the earliest fire ant invasion from South America. (Port of Mobile, AL is the suspected arrival point in the 1930’s.)

 

[CaptPat]

Try Extinguish Pro Plus. It’s a two part bait that lasts for several months. Takes a few weeks to really take effect, but once it does, you will be happy with the results. Broadcast 2 pounds per acre for best results.

Edit: I use bifen too. Extinguish only every couple of years. Bifen every 3 to 4 months. Great stuff!

Extinguish Plus is great stuff it really defeats the move to another spot strategy. You need a hand spreader to treat the entire yard at the recommended rate, regular fertilizer spreaders can't spread that low a rate. I use Surrender to spot treat when necessary, a downside of bifen is that it will kill other insects as well, like bees.

 

[scootr]

I'm curious to know about pet safety with these ant killers. We have several dogs and puppy in the effected area.

 

[bmg88201]

I hit a mound with my trimmer and slung ants on me. They ate my skinny ass up !!! No Geniva Convention at my place, all fire ants must DIE !!!!!