If you look around, you will see lots of fire ant mounds popping up in yards and elsewhere. The recent rainfall has been very good for fire ants. With the rain and warmer temperatures, their activity will only increase. The recent years of drought have hurt fire ant populations a little bit, but they are far from gone. I expect this nice rainfall to have an unfortunate positive effect on the fire ant population. Fire ants are a major nuisance- their sting is very painful and can sting multiple times, which can take the enjoyment out of yard work and being outside. They can also cause considerable economic damage to electric equipment- they tend to chew on insulation and can 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 basically, 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.
For more information on the Texas Two Step method, call or come by the office and pick up a Two Step pamphlet.