Fire Ant Treatment: How to Control A Fire Ant Infestation

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Fire ants are one of the most dangerous types of ants. If disturbed, these active and aggressive pests will attack en masse, each insect stinging repeatedly and injecting venom every time. These red ants can make a home anywhere in your yard and wreak havoc on barbecues or outdoor adventures. Today, they infest more than 260 million acres in the southern United States, and the problem is spreading. 

While they are most often found outdoors, fire ants can also gain access to your home through ventilation and air conditioning systems.At Active Pest Control, we know that fire ants are a concerning pest problem, which is why we offer the industry’s best fire ant prevention and fire ant bait options! Call us today to learn more about our fire ant treatments.

Why Fire Ants Are So Tough To Control

Fire ants are notoriously difficult to control due to their aggressive nature, resilience, and complex colony structure. These ants form extensive underground networks, often with multiple queens, allowing them to rebuild the colony quickly even after significant disruptions. They are also a highly adaptive ant species that can survive extreme weather.

Common Treatments for Fire Ants

Various treatments can be used to combat fire ants, ranging from targeted chemical solutions to holistic approaches. 

Baiting

Granular baiting is a popular and effective method for controlling fire ants. These baits consist of small granules coated with a slow-acting insecticide combined with an attractant and placed near the fire ant colony. 

Worker ants carry these granules back to the mound, where it is shared with the colony, including the queen. Over time, this poisons the entire nest. Baiting works well for widespread infestations but requires patience, as results may take weeks.

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) 

IGRs help control fire ants by disrupting their development. They work by mimicking natural hormones in insects, which prevent them from reaching maturity or reproducing. For fire ants, IGRs are often used in bait formulations that workers carry back to the colony, where they interfere with the colony’s growth cycle.

Unlike traditional insecticides, IGRs don’t kill fire ants immediately but instead slowly weaken the colony over time, eventually causing it to collapse. This method is effective because it targets the colony’s long-term survival, including the queen, and prevents reinfestation.

Contact Insecticides

Contact insecticides are fast-acting solutions that kill fire ants on contact. These are often sprayed directly on visible ants or used to treat areas where ants are active. But while contact insecticides provide immediate results, they don’t address the colony, meaning ants can quickly repopulate from hidden nests.

Mound Drenching

Mound drenching involves pouring liquid insecticide or boiling water directly into the fire ant mound. When done correctly, individual mound treatments are highly effective at destroying colonies, as they penetrate the nest and kill ants underground. However, this method is labor-intensive and may not work for deeply buried or multiple interconnected mounds.

Natural Home Remedies

Natural remedies, such as pouring boiling water into mounds or using diatomaceous earth, might be effective for small-scale infestations. Other solutions, like vinegar or citrus sprays, may deter ants temporarily but are less effective at eliminating colonies. DIY methods often require repeated applications and are less reliable for extensive infestations than professional ant pest control services.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Integrated pest management (IPM) combines multiple strategies – including many of the approaches listed above – for a comprehensive approach to fire ant control. Professionals use a mix of baiting, contact insecticides, and habitat modification to target colonies while minimizing environmental impact. This method is particularly effective for large infestations or areas like farms and parks, where long-term management is essential.

How We Treat For Fire Ants

Active Pest Control uses Advion fire ant baits or gels and TopChoice®, which is available only through pest control and lawn care professionals. Our fire ant bait program not only takes care of existing mounds, but it can also help prevent future infestations.

1. Fast-Acting Advion Fire Ant Bait

After a thorough inspection of your property to confirm the presence of fire ants and fire ant mounds, our professionals may recommend Advion Fire Ant gels or baits. These fast-acting fire ant treatments often work in as little as 72 hours and are an effective choice among many pest control professionals. Advion is just as effective as our other fire ant treatments and our pest control technician will help determine which treatment is the right choice for your home and family. For more information on our fire ant control services, please give us a call or you can use our convenient online form.

2. How TopChoice® Fire Ant Prevention Works

TopChoice® is applied into the top few inches of soil where it provides a protective contact zone against fire ants. This ensures contact with the active ingredient. Since the active ingredient does not stay on the soil surface, fire ants will come in contact with it when trying to enter treated areas, thus preventing them from establishing new mounds in the treated areas for up to a year! There are no concerns about family or pets when TopChoice fire ant prevention is applied by one of our professionals.

The Dangers of Fire Ants

More than 40 million people live in fire ant-infested areas in the southeastern United States, and between 30 and 60 percent of those living in fire ant-infested areas are stung each year. A fire ant sting can turn into an itchy white blister or worse, making it important to avoid them at all costs. One mound, typically about 2 feet in diameter and 7 inches high, can contain more than 200,000 ants. This fact alone is why it’s important to enlist the help of a professional who can use fire ant bait and fire ant prevention to keep you and your family safe year-round.

When Should I Treat My Yard for Fire Ants?

The best time of year to prepare for fire ants is in the fall months. By safeguarding your lawn and property against fire ants in the yard, you can rest easy knowing your family will be safe from these nuisance pests. 

Preventing Fire Ant Reinfestation

Eliminating fire ants is only half the battle—preventing their return is just as important. To keep your property fire-ant-safe, focus on long-term strategies:

• Maintain Regular Treatments: Schedule regular professional treatments to create a protective barrier around your property.
• Seal Entry Points: Fill gaps, cracks, or other potential entryways in your home’s foundation or walls.
• Yard Maintenance: Keep your lawn trimmed, remove debris, and address moisture issues, as these create ideal conditions for fire ants.
• Monitor Activity: Watch for new mounds or signs of fire ants and act quickly to prevent colonies from becoming established.
  

Contact Your Local Fire Ant Experts in Georgia Today

Our experienced technicians use advanced methods to eliminate infestations and protect against re-infestation. For more information on our fire ant prevention or bait options, contact the ant exterminators at Active Pest Control today!

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