Fire Ants Are on the Move: How to Stop Their Invasion
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Fire ants are persistent pests that require an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for effective control. These ants are attracted to oily and greasy foods, and their foraging activity can lead them to invade buildings. Worker ants travel underground before emerging to search for food, and when their mound is disturbed, they will aggressively swarm and sting. To reduce infestations, food sources should be eliminated from outdoor spaces, including proper trash disposal at schools, parks, and food service areas. Additionally, pruning shrubs away from buildings helps prevent ants from bypassing treated areas. Fire ants can also be introduced through landscaping materials like sod and mulch, so it is important to inspect these items before installation to prevent unintentional infestations.
There are several methods to manage fire ants, including cultural, biological, and chemical control strategies. Cultural control methods, such as drenching mounds with hot water or disrupting them, may temporarily reduce fire ant activity but are not long-term solutions. Home remedies, including the use of grits, molasses, or club soda, are ineffective, while harmful substances like gasoline and ammonia should be avoided due to environmental risks. Biological control options include microorganisms like microsporidia and the insect-parasitic fungus Beauveria bassiana, which can infect and kill fire ants. Additionally, phorid flies, a natural predator, can disrupt ant foraging behavior. For chemical control, individual mound treatments are often preferred over broadcast applications as they use less insecticide and have a lower impact on non-target species. Regardless of the method, the primary goal is to eliminate the queen, as she is the sole egg-laying member of the colony. Always follow label instructions when using insecticides for fire ant management.
For more detailed information on managing fire ants using IPM strategies, you can refer to the following resources:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/red-imported-fire-ant-in-north-carolina, https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/fire-ants-in-turf