In case you haven't noticed, it's that time of the year again. No, I'm not talking about time to plant the garden or time to start working in the yard, I'm talking about time to start battling those pesky fire ants.

Fire ants are well established in Robeson County, just as they are in virtually all areas of the southeastern United States. As much as we would like to see this problem disappear, it is very doubtful that we will ever be able to totally eradicate fire ants. They are too well established, and the cost of eradication would be astronomical.

I have shared information with you in the past about efforts to develop more effective treatments for fire ants. I have also shared information about research to find natural control methods such as diseases and predators that will help manage these pests. Even if these strategies are successful, it is very doubtful that fire ants will ever be totally eradicated. Therefore, it is very important that we learn how to manage them on our property.

We do not notice fire ants too much during the winter. They are usually not very active when it is cold, even though they will leave their mounds to forage on bright, sunny days. When spring arrives and the soil starts warming up, they not only become more active, they also begin to reproduce their mounds.

The key to successful fire ant management is to get rid of the queen or to prevent the queen from laying fertile eggs. If the queen is removed, or if the colony cannot provide new workers, the entire colony will eventually be gone.

There are two very effective ways to manage fire ants. Either method can be successful if done properly and at the right time.

The drench method may be preferred if there is only a small number of mounds or if immediate results are needed. This method can be used almost any time but is more successful if treatment occurs fairly soon after the mound is established. The key is to drench the insecticide to where the queen is located. If the mound has been established for a long period of time, the queen may be several feet deep in the soil or several feet to the side of the mound.

Prepare a drench mixture of four ounces of diazinon in five gallons of water. Diazinon is available at most garden centers. Quickly and carefully knock off the top of the mound, push a hoe handle down into the mound to make a hole as deep as possible, and immediately begin slowly pouring the drench material into the mound. Be patient, pour slowly enough that the drench material soaks into the soil rather than running over the top of the ground. This material will kill all ants, including the queen, within a couple of minutes after contact. If the drench material reaches the queen and kills her, the entire colony will be destroyed immediately.

For large numbers of mounds, it may be more convenient to use the bait method of treatment. Bait materials contain a substance that sterilizes the queen so none of her eggs hatch. As old worker ants die off, no new workers are available to gather food for the colony. Within about 3 to 5 weeks, the entire colony will starve to death. Although there are several bait materials on the market, the one that has proven to be most effective is sold under the brand name Logic. If Logic is not available at your favorite garden center, check with some of the agricultural suppliers in the area.

Bait materials must be gathered by worker ants and carried into the mound so the queen can feed on it. Therefore, these materials are most effective when applied while worker ants are gathering food on warm, sunny days. To test whether the ants are gathering food, place a piece of candy close to the mound but not on top of it. After about twenty minutes, check to see if ants are feeding on the candy. If so, carefully remove the candy and very gently sprinkle about five tablespoons of Logic around the mound -- not on top of the mound. Placing any material on top of the mound disturbs the ants, and they become defensive and forget about eating.

The bait method is often used to treat large areas such as playgrounds, pastures, and barnyards. This material can be broadcast at the rate of one pound per acre when the ants are feeding.

Many people tell me that these materials do not work, that the fire ants just move somewhere else. If the materials are used properly, they will work almost every time. If they are not used properly, the ants will know that something is wrong and will move the queen to another location. Either of the methods described above should be very effective at controlling fire ants if used as described. If you have additional questions, please call me at 671-3276.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

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

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

Date Created 09/07/01