Fire ants were first introduced into the United States in 1918 from a cargo ship arriving at the port of Mobile, Alabama, from South America. From that time they have spread throughout the southeast, including all portions of Robeson County. The map below shows the potential areas of infestation in the United States.

Fire ants look like any other ant. They range in color from reddish brown to black and vary in size from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch. The most distinguishing feature about fire ants is the stinger located at the rear of the abdomen. Anyone unfortunate enough to be stung by a fire ant will be able to identify them immediately.

Fire ant mounds are easily distinguished from other ant mounds. Common ants will construct a small mound with one single entry tunnel in the center. Fire ant mounds initially appear as small areas of disturbed soil with many entrance tunnels. In time they may grow to more than 12 inches high, still with many entrance tunnels. When the mound is disturbed, large numbers of fire ants will swarm from the mound in an attempt to protect themselves and their mound.

Fire ants can be found in all areas of Robeson County, including fields, roadways, ditch banks, woods, and other unmanaged areas. Because of this it is impossible to control or eradicate this serious pest. However, fire ants can be managed around homes and barnyards very effectively. Good management practices will prevent severe infestations and lessen the possibility of individuals coming in contact with fire ants.

There are two effective methods of treating fire ants. Either method of treatment should result in greater than 95 percent effectiveness ONLY IF PERFORMED PROPERLY. Improper treatment will cause the ants to relocate to a nearby area or to reestablish in the same colony.

MOUND DRENCHES

1. Prepare five gallons of solution using:

   Orthene 15.6 EC -- 1/2 ounce per gallon of water

2. Quickly and CAREFULLY knock off the top of the fire ant mound. Creating a hole in the mound with a hoe handle will allow solution to soak in more quickly.

3. SLOWLY pour all five gallons of solution over the mound. Slow application allows the solution to soak into the soil, killing all ants including the queen. Pouring too quickly will allow most of the solution to run off.

BAIT TREATMENTS

When numerous mounds are present, it may be too difficult to treat each mound individually. In this case it is more convenient to treat with an approved bait product. These "baits" are corn grits impregnated with insecticide. The worker ants pick up this material and carry it back into the mound as a source of food. All ants, including the queen, will feed on the bait and die. It may take several weeks for the entire colony to die.

1. The following products are approved for bait treatments:

   Amdro -- 5 tablespoons per mound
   Logic -- 5 tablespoons per mound
   Over and Out -- 2 pounds per 1,000 square feet -- apply as broadcast
   

2. DO NOT DISTURB THE MOUND. Apply recommended amount of bait around the perimeter of the mound BUT NOT on top of the mound.

3. Use disposable plastic spoon or other disposable measuring device. DO NOT use kitchen utensils.

4. Treat only on days when the ants are actively seeking food. A good test method is to place a piece of candy or peanut butter and cracker about two feet from the mound. Observe after 15 minutes, and if ants are seen feeding, treatment can begin.

5. Baits should be used on clear days when the temperature is above 60 degrees. Do not treat if the temperature is above 85 degrees. Best treatment time in the spring is early morning and best treatment time in the fall is late afternoon. Treatments during the cold winter months and hot summer months are less effective.

E-mail address: Missy_Hoggard@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 6/11/99.
Date Revised 6/15/04