European Fire Ants...Ugh!!

[GO-NAD!]

I have a terrible sense of foreboding, that it's just a matter of time before they show up on my property. Every spring we hear in the local media that they've spread a bit further, the little b*****ds. We had an extra mild winter, so they conquered more territory than they normally would have.

Some people are unable to go out into their yards without being completely encapsulated in protective clothing. These little buggers are very aggressive and being an invasive species, have no natural enemies around here.

Anybody here have experience with them? If so, how did you handle them? I want to be prepared.

 

[Seth=L]

I know ants and fire don't go together well.

You might look into how the European's handle them.

Edit: I found this.

http://www.richmondhill.ca/documents/prc_fireant_brochure.pdf

and this

http://www.halifax.ca/pesticides/documents/EuropeanFireAntInformationBulletin.pdf

 

[s162216]

We get these occassionally in our garden in the UK, we just call them red ants. Best thing to do I always find is to spray bleach into them. After that they tend to start swarming out of their nest. Spray more bleach on them and then dump a kettle full of boiling water on them. Repeat until all are dead, if you find the nest do exactly the same but keep doing it. Eventually they go away, we don't often get them more than once a year

 

[majorloser]

I've never heard of European Fire Ants before today. We have the good ol' South American fire ants here in Florida. They have taken over most of Florida and are quite a problem on pasture lands. They will tear you up before you even know you've been bit. It's like they wait for a signal and all bite at once. Many people get sent to the hospital from bites. Once a mound gets established in your lawn it's tough to get rid of them completely unless you're diligent with the fight.

I use both Amdro granuals and Orthene powder brands directly on the mounds. I also use a combo Ortho Max, Spectracide Triazide and Bayer Advanced spread all of the whole yard. When I fertilize I use Scotts Bonus S with Fire Ant killer.

Needless to say ain't many bugs gonna live on my lawn.

 

[GO-NAD!]

We get these occassionally in our garden in the UK, we just call them red ants. Best thing to do I always find is to spray bleach into them. After that they tend to start swarming out of their nest. Spray more bleach on them and then dump a kettle full of boiling water on them. Repeat until all are dead, if you find the nest do exactly the same but keep doing it. Eventually they go away, we don't often get them more than once a year

I'll keep that in mind if/when they reach my property. I try to avoid pesticides if I can. However, when push comes to shove.....

 

[GO-NAD!]

I know ants and fire don't go together well.

You might look into how the European's handle them.

Edit: I found this.

http://www.richmondhill.ca/documents/prc_fireant_brochure.pdf

and this

http://www.halifax.ca/pesticides/documents/EuropeanFireAntInformationBulletin.pdf

From the reports I've been hearing, these critters are more aggressive here than in their home (European) environment. Why that is, nobody has been able to say. Thanks for the links.

 

[GO-NAD!]

I've never heard of European Fire Ants before today. We have the good ol' South American fire ants here in Florida. They have taken over most of Florida and are quite a problem on pasture lands. They will tear you up before you even know you've been bit. It's like they wait for a signal and all bite at once. Many people get sent to the hospital from bites. Once a mound gets established in your lawn it's tough to get rid of them completely unless you're diligent with the fight.

I use both Amdro granuals and Orthene powder brands directly on the mounds. I also use a combo Ortho Max, Spectracide Triazide and Bayer Advanced spread all of the whole yard. When I fertilize I use Scotts Bonus S with Fire Ant killer.

Needless to say ain't many bugs gonna live on my lawn.

I'm not sure if those products are available here, but I'll check into it. Thanks.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

The ones I had in FL i just poured about a gallon of gas down the hole, let it seep in a few minutes and then lit it. It worked

 

[GO-NAD!]

The ones I had in FL i just poured about a gallon of gas down the hole, let it seep in a few minutes and then lit it. It worked

I'm pretty sure the environmental authorities wouldn't like me doing that, but if push comes to shove....

 

[T2T]

What makes the European fire ants different? Are they obnoxious, don't bathe and have bad teeth?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.