How to Control the Red Imported Fire Ants
- 1). Map your infested area on graph paper and mark the location of each ant mound. Divide the area into treatment zones based on mound density. Sparsely inhabited zones can be treated differently than those that are heavily infested. Treatment based on population size saves time and money.
- 2). Broadcast an insecticide bait once or twice a year on the heavily infested zones. The bait can be applied through a hand-held or push spreader. When purchasing the bait, ask for a product that combines fast- and slow-acting ingredients such as hydramethylnon plus methoperene.
- 3). Treat mounds or colonies individually that move into the bait-treated areas. The same bait applied broadcast can be applied as individual mound treatments. Apply bait either with a dedicated table spoon or a shaker can. Baits can be purchased in a shaker container.
- 4). Apply a mound drench to fire ant colonies in the sparsely infested zones. To prepare a mound drench, mix a retail or agricultural formulation of carbaryl in water according to label directions. Apply the drench to mounds through a dedicated watering can. This is a very effective way to control fire ants, but is labor-intensive.