Fire Ants

BY: NHGC

Imported fire ants came to the U.S. from South America in the 1930s. They entered at Mobile, Alabama, probably in soil used for ship ballast.

With no predators, they spread quickly. They occupy millions of acres throughout the Southeast, Texas, and irrigated spots in the Southwest, says Bart Drees, the coordinator of the Texas Fire Ant Project. The ants have been seen in Delaware, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Nevada, and now they're in Orange County, California. Because of the mild climate, irrigation, and other water sources, the entire Pacific Coast is fertile ground for infestation, says Drees.

Fire ants can be found in urban areas, especially when water is available. Fire ants are effective predators and can feed on many other insects (harmful and beneficial types). Evidently, they won't stay in areas where it gets down to 10 degrees F in winter, but they can overwinter in heat sources such as electrical boxes, laundry outlets, and outbuildings. For more information, visit http://fireant.tamu.edu.

First aid
If stung, dab the bite with ammonia or a 1:1 solution of bleach and water within 15 minutes to neutralize the protein in the venom. Otherwise, apply a sting remedy with benzocaine or other pain killers. Don't scratch or a nasty secondary infection may result. Some people are allergic to fire ant stings and should seek medical attention immediately.

Comments

By Marie J. Thursday, October 21, 2010 9:13 AM

I think a lot of the ant killers they have on the market are a waste of money and time...they don't work!!!! I have tried a lot of them plus home remedies and the ants just seem to move from that place to another. This includes the assortment of ants that exsist.
They are just down right hard to kill. I have had ants in my closet the past two years and I continue to spray inside and out to be rid of them. I will see if this works next year!!!! This includes underneath my home I have sprayed and put down inspectisides.
Ants are another overwhelming insect.

Happy Fall to all,
Marie J.

By bmunk-kegeler Thursday, April 28, 2011 10:57 PM

I used regular corn grits when I got them in a compost heap and it eventually killed them off but what worked better was fine ground corn meal. I have sand in my back yard and basically nothing grows but clover and weeds so the ground look like a snow storm a little over a week ago but after a few days, no mounds and no ants and that was refreshing since I am alergic to them.

By pmiles52 Wednesday, June 15, 2011 3:26 PM

I will have to remember to get some 'fine ground corn meal' when I go grocery shopping. Sometimes I swell or get a pretty big knot if stung/bitten by ants.

Any remedies for getting rid of mosquitos?

By mbush2 Thursday, October 27, 2011 6:12 AM

cedarcide.com

By ssmith111 Tuesday, January 22, 2013 1:51 PM

Some ants may eat grits but typically fire ants are carnivorous and prefer protein based foods. Being highly allergic to fire ant stings, I have tried a variety of remedies with limited success. One product that kills all ants instantly is "Spray & Wash" laundry stain remover, but it will only kill ants that it comes in contact with. It contains a surficant and other substances that react with the formic acid in the ants' bodies causing instant death. When ants get in your cabinets (not usually fire ants) or car, laundry stain remover is a lot less noxious to use than typical insecticides. Liquid crab boil, mixed with a little dish detergent and water is also quite effective on most ants (and roaches) but capsaicin in crab boil may burn or damage plants, so use sparingly in the garden.

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Current Articles \| Archives \| Search Fire Ants BY: NHGC 5 Imported fire ants came to the U.S. from South America in the 1930s. They entered at Mobile, Alabama, probably in soil used for ship ballast. With no predators, they spread quickly. They occupy millions of acres throughout the Southeast, Texas, and irrigated spots in the Southwest, says Bart Drees, the coordinator of the Texas Fire Ant Project. The ants have been seen in Delaware, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Nevada, and now they're in Orange County, California. Because of the mild climate, irrigation, and other water sources, the entire Pacific Coast is fertile ground for infestation, says Drees. Fire ants can be found in urban areas, especially when water is available. Fire ants are effective predators and can feed on many other insects (harmful and beneficial types). Evidently, they won't stay in areas where it gets down to 10 degrees F in winter, but they can overwinter in heat sources such as electrical boxes, laundry outlets, and outbuildings. For more information, visit http://fireant.tamu.edu. First aid If stung, dab the bite with ammonia or a 1:1 solution of bleach and water within 15 minutes to neutralize the protein in the venom. Otherwise, apply a sting remedy with benzocaine or other pain killers. Don't scratch or a nasty secondary infection may result. Some people are allergic to fire ant stings and should seek medical attention immediately. Comments By Marie J. Thursday, October 21, 2010 9:13 AM I think a lot of the ant killers they have on the market are a waste of money and time...they don't work!!!! I have tried a lot of them plus home remedies and the ants just seem to move from that place to another. This includes the assortment of ants that exsist. They are just down right hard to kill. I have had ants in my closet the past two years and I continue to spray inside and out to be rid of them. I will see if this works next year!!!! This includes underneath my home I have sprayed and put down inspectisides. Ants are another overwhelming insect. Happy Fall to all, Marie J. By bmunk-kegeler Thursday, April 28, 2011 10:57 PM I used regular corn grits when I got them in a compost heap and it eventually killed them off but what worked better was fine ground corn meal. I have sand in my back yard and basically nothing grows but clover and weeds so the ground look like a snow storm a little over a week ago but after a few days, no mounds and no ants and that was refreshing since I am alergic to them. By pmiles52 Wednesday, June 15, 2011 3:26 PM I will have to remember to get some 'fine ground corn meal' when I go grocery shopping. Sometimes I swell or get a pretty big knot if stung/bitten by ants. Any remedies for getting rid of mosquitos? By mbush2 Thursday, October 27, 2011 6:12 AM cedarcide.com By ssmith111 Tuesday, January 22, 2013 1:51 PM Some ants may eat grits but typically fire ants are carnivorous and prefer protein based foods. Being highly allergic to fire ant stings, I have tried a variety of remedies with limited success. One product that kills all ants instantly is "Spray & Wash" laundry stain remover, but it will only kill ants that it comes in contact with. It contains a surficant and other substances that react with the formic acid in the ants' bodies causing instant death. When ants get in your cabinets (not usually fire ants) or car, laundry stain remover is a lot less noxious to use than typical insecticides. Liquid crab boil, mixed with a little dish detergent and water is also quite effective on most ants (and roaches) but capsaicin in crab boil may burn or damage plants, so use sparingly in the garden. Post Comment Only registered users may post comments.