The recent wet weather seems to have brought about a new crop of fire ants. In truth, the ants were most likely moved upward out of the water logged soil.
Every year you resolve to win the war against fire ants. And every year, you experience the agony of defeat. But it’s your home turf, so this year, take control of the game and tackle them in the fall. (And forgive me if I give too many football analogies.)
The opposing team of fire ants are native to South America. No, they are not a visiting opponent; they will be a permanent part of our environment. They entered the U.S. through Mobile, Alabama, probably in soil used for ships’ ballasts. They were accidentally introduced around the 1930’s and have been spreading since.
Red imported fire ants are very aggressive, efficient competitors. Since the 1950’s in Texas, the ant has been spreading north, west and south. They now infest the eastern two-thirds of the state, and most every urban area in west Texas. While the bad news is that they are a permanent problem, the good news is that, with relatively little cost and effort, you can prevent most of the problems they cause using currently available methods.
The season for battle for 2017 fire ant populations extends from now through October. This fall is an ideal time to apply fire ant bait to your lawn. Ants are still foraging so you can apply bait when no rain is expected for several days after treatment. Baits are slow-acting, taking weeks to months to reduce ant mound numbers. Unlike a mound treatment that is supposed to work quickly on each mound you find, baits can be taken back to work on lots of mounds – even those you cannot see. Their work is conducted underground, all winter long, slowly but surely reducing their numbers.
The over-riding concept is that a good bait treatment at this time of the year, will yield excellent results come next spring. Consider the satisfaction in knowing that baits gathered and stored by fire ants in the fall will kill off fire ants all winter long. And your result will be a greatly reduced number of mounds next spring.
To maximize your effectiveness, come together as a team and plan your attack. Since fire ants travel from yard to yard, team up with your neighbors to implement fire ant control programs at the same time. Decide what control method to use (see management tips for specific situations), and whether to hire a professional or to treat the neighborhood using the help of volunteers from your neighborhood organization.
Use the right equipment in the right manner so you and the environment don’t get hurt. Be careful to only use insecticides when and where they are needed. Closely follow label directions. Today’s baits are gentle on the environment and are best applied using crank-type seeders or spreaders.
Continue to attack their line until you reach the goal for a resounding victory. By starting your fire ant control program in the fall and following a regular maintenance schedule thereafter, you’ll see fewer ants — and will spend less time on injured reserve because of ant stings.
