How to Get Rid of Fire Ants

Co-authored by Chris Parker

Last Updated: August 26, 2021 References Approved

Spotting fire ants or their mounds can be worrying, but there are ways to rid your lawn of the ants and to keep your family safe! Fire ant infestations can be treated by broadcasting fire ant bait, using mound treatment, applying lawn treatment, or hiring a professional exterminator. Recognising fire ants is also an important part of preventing stings and infestations from building up.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Treating Fire Ants

1
Broadcast fire ant bait while the ants are foraging. Wait until the evening or night during the summer months, as this is when the fire ants will normally be foraging. Place a small amount of bait next to each mound that you can find.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Joshua Bloom
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}^{[2]
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- You can buy fire ant bait from gardening stores.
- The fire ants will take the bait within 30 minutes.
- Fire ant bait is designed to act slowly, so that the queen will also be targeted.
- The instructions that come with the fire ant bait will specify the amount to use and the best placement.
- Don't waste time spraying ant trails. Only about 15% of the colony forages and will quickly be replaced if you focus on just the foragers.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Joshua Bloom
  Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}
2
Use a mound treatment 7-10 days after using fire ant bait. Sprinkle the mound treatment in a full circle around the fire ant mounds. Make sure to follow all of the safety instructions listed on the package.^{[4]
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- Mound treatments contain acephate, which is a slow-acting poison that will eventually kill the fire ants. The fire ants will eat the poison and share it with the queen, which works to slowly wipe out the whole colony.
- Mound treatments won't work once they get wet, so try to pick a sunny day.
- Mound treatments will only work on the mound that it encircles. You will have to repeat the treatment around each individual mound.
- You can get fire ant mound treatments from gardening centers.
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3
Apply a season-long lawn treatment for longer-term pest control. Use a push spreader to apply granules of fire-ant killer over your whole lawn. Cover all areas that are possible.^{[5]
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- This solution is best if you have to deal with multiple mounds that are spread across a larger area.
- A lawn treatment will usually rid your lawn of fire ants for a full season.You can buy these from gardening stores.
- It is necessary to use a push spreader to apply the lawn treatment, as applying it by hand is very difficult. If you don't have one, many rental yards and plant nurseries loan them out.^{[6]
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- Some lawn treatments are safe for native ant species.^{[7]
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4
Hire a professional exterminator if you have a long-term problem with fire ants. Contact a local exterminator company that can work specifically with fire ants.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Chris Parker
Pest Control Specialist
Expert Interview. 21 April 2021.} Professionals have access to treatments that aren't available to the general public, and these may be more effective against stubborn fire ant infestations.^{[9]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Recognizing Fire Ants

1
Distinguish fire ants from other ant species. Fire ants are red or brown, and have variation in length (most other ant species are all the same size). Fire ants range from ⅛ to ¼ in (3.18-6.35 mm) long.^{[10]
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- In the US, fire ants are found in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
2
Look for mounds of fluffy, disturbed soil on your lawn. Mounds on garden lawns are usually only a few inches tall, however in remote locations they can reach up to 18 in (45.72 cm) in height. There will not be an opening on the surface of the mound.^{[11]
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- Mounds most commonly form 2-3 days after heavy rain.
- Be very careful to not disturb the mound as you are searching, otherwise the fire ants will swarm and travel up a vertical surface, such as a leg, to sting.
3
Treat fire ant stings straight away. Firmly brush the fire ants off you with your hand or a cloth. If your only symptoms of fire ant stings are pustules and pain, use an over-the-counter medication to prevent infection. However if fire ant stings cause you severe swelling, shortness of breath, or chest pain, seek emergency medical attention immediately.^{[12]
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- Fire ants use their jaws to firmly latch onto skin and cannot be removed by running water over them.
4
Prevent future fire ant stings. If you suspect that you have a fire ant infestation, wear boots and tuck your pants into your socks. Look over the whole ground as you are walking, and educate children about the dangers of fire ants.^{[13]
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- Make sure that you also watch for foraging ants, as well as the fire ant mounds.
- Warn any visitors to your property about the fire ants so that they can take preventative measures too.

Community Q&A

Question

What are the affects off a bite?

Community Answer

Some side effects include swelling, itching, and burning that could last for a week.
Question

What do I do if the ant colony nest is inside and not outside?

Community Answer

Locate the entry of the ants and spray the nest with pesticide labeled "For indoor use." Do not use outdoor baits because this will only attract more ants. Make sure that the structures in your house are in good condition. Make sure to also clean up food or anything else that could potentially attract insects.
Question

Will the ants relocate after the nest is treated?

Kaitlyn Wislang

Community Answer

When a mound is treated the fire ants and queen will most likely die, and they cannot relocate.

Warnings

Keep pets well away from fire ant mounds.

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Read the instructions and safety warnings of all treatments before you use them. Ensure that they are safe for children or pets if necessary.

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