Controlling Fire Ants in New Braunfels: A DIY Approach

Fire ants are an extremely common pest in Texas, posing a significant challenge to homeowners, farmers, landscapers, and even recreational areas like sports fields. Known for their painful sting, aggressive behavior, and ability to quickly form large colonies, fire ants are a major nuisance in both urban and rural environments. The state of Texas, with its warm climate, is an ideal habitat for these insects, and their populations can grow rapidly without effective control measures.

In this article, we will explore the best practices for controlling fire ants in Texas, focusing on prevention, treatment methods, and long-term management strategies.

What Are Fire Ants?

Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are small, reddish-brown insects known for their aggressive behavior and painful stings. Unlike many other ant species, fire ants can attack in swarms, and their stings can cause significant pain, allergic reactions, and in rare cases, even more serious health issues. The ants build large, dome-shaped mounds in the ground, often in lawns, pastures, gardens, and even urban areas. These mounds are the entrances to complex underground tunnels that house entire colonies.

Each colony typically consists of a queen, worker ants, and sometimes male ants. The queen is responsible for laying eggs, while worker ants forage for food and protect the colony. Fire ants are opportunistic feeders, eating almost anything, including seeds, small animals, and human food scraps.  They will travel inside and feed on human food.

Why Are Fire Ants a Problem in Texas?

Fire ants are particularly problematic in Texas due to the state’s climate and terrain. The warm, humid conditions provide an ideal environment for the ants to thrive. Furthermore, fire ants are aggressive and can cause damage to crops, lawns, and gardens. They can also interfere with outdoor activities, as their stings are not only painful but can lead to allergic reactions or, in rare instances, anaphylactic shock.

The fire ant’s ability to quickly establish large colonies also complicates control efforts. A single colony can house thousands of ants, and new colonies can form through “budding,” where part of the colony breaks off to establish a new mound nearby. Additionally, fire ants do not only pose a threat to humans and pets but can also harm wildlife by displacing native ant species and preying on the eggs of ground-nesting birds and other animals.

How to Identify Fire Ants

One of the first steps in controlling fire ants is identifying them correctly. Fire ants are distinguishable by:

• Color: They are reddish-brown, with some individuals appearing darker and others lighter.
• Size: Worker ants typically range from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch in length.
• Sting: When threatened, fire ants sting multiple times, injecting venom into their victims, which causes pain and irritation.  They have even been known to hold on to a leg hair and sting multiple times.
• Mounds: The presence of small, dome-shaped mounds in the soil is a common sign of fire ant activity. These mounds can range from a few inches to several feet in diameter.

Unlike other ant species, fire ants do not create distinct tunnels visible on the surface. Instead, they build their colonies underground, and the mound serves as the opening to these tunnels.

Control Methods for Fire Ants

When fire ants have established a colony in your yard, controlling them requires a combination of different strategies. There are several approaches to fire ant control, ranging from chemical treatments to natural remedies. It’s important to note that fire ant control is an ongoing process, as these ants can be persistent and difficult to eliminate entirely.

1. Baits and Granular Insecticides

One of the most common methods for fire ant control is the use of bait or granular insecticides. These products are typically applied to the ground and attract ants, who carry the bait back to their colony. The bait contains a slow-acting poison, which kills the ants over time.

• Fire Ant Baits: These are typically available in granules or dust form. The ants are attracted to the bait, which they take back to the colony, where it kills the queen and other ants. The process can take a few weeks, but it is generally effective in reducing fire ant populations.
• Amdro with hydramethylnon is an effective bait.  But I normally see people apply it incorrectly and not broad enough to completely eliminate colonies. It should be spread around the edges of mounds without disturbing them.
• Extinguish Fire Ant Bait (Hydramethylnon & S-Methoprene)  is a good option with proven results.  At 1.5 lbs per acre use rate, it can be applied to large areas cheaply.
• Advion Fire Ant Bait (Indoxacarb)  is a bait similar to Extinguish that is spread around fire ant mounds and can be broadcast across the entire yard at a low rate.
• Granular Insecticides: Granular insecticides can be spread across your yard to kill fire ants directly. These products usually contain fast-acting chemicals that kill ants on contact. However, they may not be as effective at eliminating the entire colony as baits, which target the queen.
• Over’N Out Granules (Bifenthrin & Zeta-Cypermethrin) is a granular product to be spread across yards to control fire ants.  These products and others containing Bifenthrin are spread using a grass spreader or push spreader and then watered-in to activate them.  They are effective but require multiple bags for bigger properties.  Bifenthrin tends to hold up for 90 days and has the added benefit of controlling other yard bugs like cockroaches, pillbugs, fleas, ticks etc.

2. Liquid Insecticides

Liquid insecticides are another option for treating fire ants. These products are often applied directly to the mound, and they work by killing ants upon contact. Some liquid insecticides are more effective than others at killing ants in the soil, but they typically only target ants present at the time of application and may not fully eradicate the colony.  Fipronil or Imidicloprid products are usually more effective against ants, but a liquid topical treatment will not reach the entire colony without a full yard treatment.  A liquid yard treatment by a professional can provide a quick knockdown for a party or gathering.  Most baits and liquid treatments cannot be applied at the same time though, so keep that in mind.

3. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural substance made from the fossilized remains of tiny organisms called diatoms. When sprinkled around a fire ant mound, DE acts as an abrasive, causing the ants to dry out and die. It is a non-toxic solution that can be a safe option around pets and children. However, you would be better off sprinking it around the base of the foundation to keep them from entering the house versus using it to try to eliminate the colony.

4. Boiling Water

Pouring boiling water directly onto a fire ant mound is another way to kill ants. The hot water destroys the mound and kills many of the ants. However, this method is only effective for small mounds and does not guarantee that the queen or the entire colony will be destroyed. Additionally, it can be dangerous if not done carefully. More than likely the disturbed colony will just move deeper into the ground and move over to another part of the yard.

5. Natural Remedies

Several natural remedies can help control fire ants, though they tend to be less effective than chemical treatments. These include:

• Citrus Oil: Some people use citrus oil or orange oil as a repellent for fire ants. It can disrupt their ability to communicate and may cause them to abandon the mound.  I haven’t ever encountered anyone who had much success this way.
• Vinegar: A mixture of vinegar and water can be sprayed on fire ants, killing them on contact. However, this may not address the root of the infestation, as it does not target the queen.

6. Professional Pest Control

In severe cases or for large properties, professional pest control services may be necessary. Pest control companies can apply targeted treatments that are highly effective in controlling fire ants. They may use a combination of baits, insecticides, and specialized equipment to tackle large infestations.  I use highly effective granular products that require a license to purchase or apply. I also have almost every product and bait with me at all times, therefore taking the guesswork out of the results.

Long-Term Management of Fire Ants

Managing fire ants is an ongoing process, and there is no one-time solution that will fully eliminate them. However, through regular monitoring and implementing a combination of preventive measures and control techniques, you can keep fire ants under control over the long term.  Be prepared to treat multiple times for the first couple of years, and after that they will be easier to control.

• Monitor Your Yard: Continue to inspect your yard regularly, especially in the warmer months. If you notice new mounds, act quickly to prevent further infestation.  The best time to treat is early Spring before colonies are large and expanding.
• Use a Combination of Treatments: For the best results, consider using a combination of baits, granular insecticides, and other treatments. Regular reapplication of treatments can help keep fire ant populations under control.
• Maintain a Healthy Lawn: A well-maintained lawn with proper drainage and irrigation will be less attractive to fire ants. Healthy soil and grass can also make it harder for ants to establish colonies.

Conclusion

Fire ants are a persistent and challenging pest in New Braunfels and the hill country, but with the right strategies, you can effectively control their populations and prevent them from becoming a significant nuisance. By understanding fire ant behavior, identifying the problem early, and using a combination of prevention and control methods, you can keep fire ants under control and enjoy your outdoor spaces with minimal risk of stings. Whether you choose natural remedies, chemical treatments, or professional services, it’s important to approach fire ant control with a comprehensive, long-term plan.