Fire Ant Control
Fire ant populations seemed to explode following the rainfall last week. The rainfall and the warm temperatures are very good for fire ants; we can expect their activity and population to continue to increase. Fire ants are a major nuisance- their sting is very painful and can sting multiple times. They take the enjoyment out of yard work and being outside and can also cause considerable economic damage to electric equipment. Fire ants can chew on insulation and cause short circuits or interfere with switching mechanisms.
The Two Step Fire Ant Control method for controlling fire ants has been proven to be effective and if you’re not on the program, now is the time to start. The first step of the Two Step method emphasizes applying broadcast bait when the ants are actively foraging. As soon as the temperatures warm up it will be an excellent time to apply the broadcast bait. There are many different brand names for bait products, but they all work because the worker ants bring it back to the mound and feed it to the Queen and other ants.
Here are a few key points when applying baits: ■ Make sure that you use fresh bait, preferably a new container that has never been opened
■ Apply when the ground and grass are dry and rain is not expected for 48 hours
■ Apply when ants are looking for food- this is usually in the late afternoon or evening
■ Apply with a hand-held seed spreader- do not mix the product with fertilizer or seed
■ Re-apply baits in about 6 months The second portion of the Two Step method is treating individual mounds. Limit step two mound treatments to those mounds located near the house or other sensitive areas where you want fast control. If you only have a few mounds in your yard, this may be all you need to do. For this treatment, use a product designed for MOUND treatment. It can be a drench or a granular product. Always follow the label directions on the bait and mound treatment products that you choose.
If you live in a neighborhood, it would be a good idea to get all your neighbors to complete the same treatments. This will greatly improve your control efforts. It takes longer for fire ants to reinfest when larger areas and multiple yards are treated with the Two-Step Method. That means fewer applications and less time spent controlling ants.
When done correctly, this method fire ant control works very well. For more information on the Texas Two Step method, come by the office and pick up a Two Step pamphlet or call (325)-356-2539 for additional information.