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What Really WORKS Against Fire Ants?

David Nunn
Early in the summer, I noticed a shortage of fire ants, and so remarked. I was hoping that global warming was killing them off, but it was not to be. We got some cooler weather and some rain, and BOOM! Fire and mounds everywhere.

My normal M.O. is to carry a shaker can of Orthene (acephate) powder with me when I mow, and I dose mounds as I come to them. I must have put Orthene on 30 mounds last time I mowed. Ran out of Orthene.

I like the Orthene. It is a contact poison, and I like that method of killing better than I to the baits, but I am open to suggestions.

My place is a little over 4 acres, and is situated long and narrow, so I have a lot of border fence with my north and south neighbors. Near as I can tell, my neighbors don't treat for fire ants, and this is a problem. Another problem is that people tell me it is better to not disturb the mound when treating it, and since I treat as I mow, not disturbing the mound is impossible. Usually I don't know it is there until I have chopped off the top of it and really pissed off the ants.

If you use a product for killing fire ants, and if it WORKS for you, please tell me what it is. Please don't tell me about something you heard about on the radio; I hear the ads, too. I want to hear about what WORKS, from your experience. Cheap is good, too, but I will pay more for something that works.

I am looking for a product that is ready to use, out of the container, either for dosing mounds or broadcasting. I can do it either way. I don't care to use a product that requires mixing or watering. A long time ago, I tried an "organic" product that required mixing with water, pouring into the mound, and then drenching the mound with several buckets full of boiling water. Too much trouble, and if I wanted to boil water, that in and of itself will kill out a mound.
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Comments

53 comments

Date Votes
  • D1
    I just pee on all the ones I see in my yard and in the woods. They ain't there when I go back. Maybe all the meds I'm on kill them.
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  • David Nunn
    quote:I just pee on all the ones I see in my yard and in the woods. They ain't there when I go back. Maybe all the meds I'm on kill them.

    OK. So, when are you coming to Texas to pee on my fire ants? And, can you do so every week or so from April through November?
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  • sharpshooter039
    pour a little gasoline on them,do not light it just let it soak in,it will kill you grass where it touches it but it will also kill the ants right down to the queen,
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  • tccox
    David, if you will buy the beer, I'll even come over and pee on your ants! Tom


    PS: You might pop for a kegger and we'll all come over. T
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  • p3skyking
    Dave,
    Get any bug spray that kills ants and put it in a garden sprayer that has a metal wand. Shove it INTO the bed about a foot spraying all the time to keep the nozzle from clogging.
    The soil in an anthill is soft so you won't have a problem even in clay. I stick it in about four or five times from different angles. I guarantee it will wipe out the nest.[:D]
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  • shootlow
    over and out works
    gas works real good ,if any one need some fire ants i can have a give a way
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  • David Nunn
    quote:pour a little gasoline on them,do not light it just let it soak in,it will kill you grass where it touches it but it will also kill the ants right down to the queen,

    Sorry...I failed to mention that I also won't do something that is illegal. Pouring gasoline on the ground is illegal.
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  • mrseatle
    dynamite, dynamite, dynamite!
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  • David Nunn
    quote:over and out works

    Does "Over And Out" really work? You have used it? With good effect? Please elaborate a bit.
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  • Tailgunner1954
    We don't have fire ants here, but I know that skunks realy like to tear up the mounds of the kind of ants we do have.
    Try turning a few skunks loose in your neighbors yards and see if they like fire ants also.
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  • tr fox
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    quote:pour a little gasoline on them,do not light it just let it soak in,it will kill you grass where it touches it but it will also kill the ants right down to the queen,

    Sorry...I failed to mention that I also won't do something that is illegal. Pouring gasoline on the ground is illegal.


    I sense you are a lawful person clear down to the bone. I like that.
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  • bamafan
    An old remedy that my Dad told me was to take a shovel and mix two different ant mounds together. They will kill each other. Has always worked for me.
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  • shootlow
    NUNN
    yes we have used and still do. pour some AROUND the mound not on it and it does kill the poo out of them
    if you need some more ants i will send you all you want free and i will cover shipping [;)]
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  • ObiWan
    Throw some orange peels in the blender...dump into a bucket with Epsom Salt....add water....dump on ant hill.
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  • tobefree
    Have a picnic and try to become friends!!
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  • Flyin_Paulie
    Tequila and fine sand works.[}:)] They will eventually get drunk and stone each other to death.[:D]
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  • Permanently deleted user
    quote:Originally posted by nunn
    quote:over and out works

    Does "Over And Out" really work? You have used it? With good effect? Please elaborate a bit.
    It works the best of any others that I have tried, it is expensive. Nothing really works 100%, I hate them SOBs.
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  • CWatson
    Simple Green or Purple Power.

    CW
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  • fishkiller41
    1 word Nunn...ORTHENE.But, it really stinks,[xx(] and U need to borrow a pair of the wife's rubber gloves.[;)]
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  • select-fire
    I know ours are lurking here in SC cause we need rain. I didn't miss them this year.
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  • David Nunn
    quote:Throw some orange peels in the blender...dump into a bucket with Epsom Salt....add water....dump on ant hill.

    Somebody didn't read my requirements...[xx(]
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  • peabo
    I am not sure this product is available to the general public, but it is used by Telephone and power companies. My experience is that it works.

    http://www.rainbowtech.net/catalog.php?pid=3893&cat=58


    Thanks---Peabo
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  • allen griggs
    "if any one need some fire ants i can have a give a way"

    Please please send me a case of fire ants. I haven't seen one since I moved to the North Carolina mountains ten years ago. I miss them!
    Where I used to live in Georgia, I was very familiar with them.
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  • select-fire
    quote:Originally posted by peabo
    I am not sure this product is available to the general public, but it is used by Telephone and power companies. My experience is that it works.

    http://www.rainbowtech.net/catalog.php?pid=3893&cat=58


    Thanks---Peabo


    The little critters love the contacts on well pumps and AC units. I have had numerous calls cause the air was not working. Then the contacts would be slam full of fire ants. Dead and electrocuted but blocking 220V from working.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    I cannot remember the name of it, but we used to use a this grannular stuff that they thought was food. They would take it down into their nests and it would kill the entire colony.
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  • 11BravoCrunchie
    Fight fire with fire. Lighter fluid and a match.
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  • booger
    Nunn, same problem here, same size yard, cow pasture full of 'em next door, used the Orthene for a long time, gasoline, etc.

    For those so inclined, gasoline only temporarily knocks them out but either the colony renews from deep down or a new one moves in the same spot. (They like the same aerated location). Either way they're back shortly.

    Orthene works okay but not long term, or on missed spots.

    I usually buy the largest bag of the Sevin Over-n-Out at the beginning of the year. I also cut the grass and sprinkle the mound itself as I mow, and the area around it, within 6 inches or so. It doesn't take as much as you think, I use less and yes each year.

    This produces a much better result over time than Orthene has, because the little mounds you missed are getting baited too? Once I'm out of the good stuff I use Amdro to keep'em in check. Again, sprinkling after I mow over them. I watch for spots after a rain and may apply Amdro directly to it if I get the chance.

    I think all the ant potion instructions indicate "do not disturb mound" but I have always disturbed the mounds and had good-great results. I began this about four years ago and haven't bought Orthene since. Much fewer mounds now.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    An ity bity 50 cal machine gun..[:0] That stuff Andro works good
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  • divecop
    I just go sprinkle sevin dust on the mounds. I have 3 acres and
    they are everywhere but sevin dust seems to work well. It keeps them
    away for approx. 2 to 3 weeks and then I start to see mounds again.
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  • Marc1301
    quote:The little critters love the contacts on well pumps and AC units.
    They are attracted to a slight amount of ozone being given off through the contacts, when line voltage passes through them.
    Put a small amount of granular killer in the control box, and no more ants or spiders!
    Nunn,......you may not want to mess with water, but when you get tired of trying all the powders, and granules, and really want to get rid of them for a year at a time, get some Ortho termite, and carpenter ant killer. I mix 1 ounce in a 2 gallon sprinkler can, and soak the mounds, 1 can per large mound, or several small ones.
    After a few hours, I water it down further with a garden hose,.......no more ants for the year.
    I am in Florida, and had mounds everywhere before, and yes, I tried all kinds of powder, and granules.
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