A little bait goes a long way in managing fire ants (5-10-10)

With the recent rains and warmer weather fire ant mounds have become quite visible in many lawns and controlling them should be as much a part of your lawn management activities as mowing, watering, and fertilizing.

Not only are the mounds unsightly, but the sting from fire ants can be extremely painful and for some people even life threatening. There are several methods of controlling fire ants, but baits are probably the most convenient and easiest products for homeowners to apply.

A few application tips to ensure the most effective use of baits include the following:

• Apply fire ant baits by broadcasting them over the entire yard and not only on top of mounds.
• Don’t apply too much. The rate for most baits is only one to two pounds per acre.
• Avoid applying baits just before rainfall and do not irrigate for at least two days after applying baits.
• Use fresh bait. Ants don’t like old bait that has gone rancid.
• Be patient. Baits are slow-acting.
• Apply fire ant baits preventively. Don’t wait till you see large mounds.
• Apply baits up to three times per year, spring, summer, and fall.
• Use additional individual mound treatments to eliminate mounds the baits miss.

For more information on fire ant control there are several excellent publications found at your local Extension office or this website.

Published May 10, 2010

Dr. Wayne Wells is an Extension Professor and Turfgrass Specialist. His mailing address is Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mail Stop 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. wwells@ext.msstate.edu