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Fire Ants Are No Fun

Fire ants, red ants, ginger ants, tropical ants”¦ whatever you call them, they’re no fun.  The feed on plants and seeds and can become quite a nuisance in your garden.  They get their name from the burning sensation their bites have.  This is from a toxin that they inject called solenopsin.  It has been known to kill small animals and even people sensitive to their venom.

The queen is the center of the ant colony.  She is the egg-bearer.  She can live for years and produce thousands of eggs per day.  Her counterpart, the male drone, lives only days.  His sole purpose is to aid in the reproduction cycle.  The third class is the working ants.  These are quite often the ones that you find wandering about.  The workers are female ants that don’t reproduce.  They go about building nests, care for the young, and feed the colony.

How To Get Rid of Fire Ants

To get rid of Fire Ants, you’re going to need the right products. Below are some of the best kinds of Fire Ant control tools you can apply yourself.

Baits

When the objective is to reach the largest amount

of ants, you’d probably want to consider using a bait.  Baits primarily consist of two things: a lure and a poison.  The forging worker ants will find the bait, strategically places where they have been seen, consume the sure, and bring it and its toxins to the rest of the community.  With baits, you may need to monitor and reapply periodically.

Spray

If you’re able to find the mound, you may choose to use a more instant treatment.  A mound injector is a liquid spray.  To use, simply attach rod to can, insert rod into mound until you reach bottom and spray.  Keep in mind there may be other mounds.  If you find one, look for others.  It’s advised to use this treatment in either the early morning hours or in the late evening hours, as the ants are less active at this time.

Granules

Granules are often ideal for outdoor infestations as their weight and texture help them fight the extremes of various weather conditions.  A form of insecticide, granules like Top Choice are effective for a whole year.  For optimal effect, use when the ants are most active.  Early spring is preferred.  An added benefit, Top Choice also helps fight against infestations of mole crickets, fleas, ticks, and other ants.  Note, the chemicals in this treatment may not have the same effective length against other such pests.

Be Safe, My Friends

Whichever method you chose to get rid of Fire Ants, it is important to read all labels for recommendations on use and safety.