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Saturday, September 18, 1999

How to rid garden of fire ants

Pouring hot water on the mound works 60% of time

 

With our recent moisture, grass is not the only thing growing in our yards and vegetable gardens. Unfortunately, fire ant mounds are also springing up. Texas Imported Fire Ants are a serious problem in much of Texas and the Southern United States.
   If you have been planting your garden or working in your lawn, you have probably encountered these pesky creatures which make gardening even more painful than sore muscles. Because few products are approved for use against fire ants in vegetable gardens, learning about the biology of fire ants and knowing some management options will make gardening a more enjoyable and hopefully less painful.
   Fire ant colonies are usually found outdoors and thrive in gardens because they have ample amounts of moisture, rich organic soil and a wide variety of foods available to them. Worker ants forage for food and love to eat greasy or oily materials. In gardens, this includes oil-containing seeds, seed pods and some insects.
   Management options for controlling fire ants in vegetable gardens are few and include everything from using very hot or boiling water drenches to "organic" methods to conventional treatments. Pouring 2-3 gallons of very hot water on a mound will kill fire ant mounds about 60 percent of the time. Gardeners should take care not to "cook" valuable garden plants in the process.
   Organic products containing pyrethrins plus diatomaceous earth or carbaryl (Sevin ) are registered for use against fire ants in vegetable gardens. Whatever insecticide product you select for use, the site should be specified on the product label.
   Most bait-formulated insecticides are NOT approved for use in vegetable gardens but can be applied around the perimeter of the garden and the yard so foraging ants inside and outside the garden gather the bait and carry it back to their colonies. To prevent ants from entering the garden, a contact insecticide can be applied around the garden as a barrier, ant treat individual mounds near the garden as needed.
   Fire ants also invade compost piles and mulched flower beds seeking moisture and warmth. Colonies in these sites may be difficult to locate precisely, but the area of greatest ant activity can be treated with a fast-acting bait product such as products containing the ingredient hydramethylon. As most of us know from first hand experience, fire ants are aggressive and will defensively attack anything that disturbs them. Unlike a bee or a wasp, a fire ant can sting repeatedly with no ill effects to itself.
   When you do get stung, it is important to treat the bite and prevent infection. The symptoms include burning, itching and a white pustule that forms in a day or two. Stings are not usually life threatening, but they can easily get infected and may leave permanent scars. To lessen the effect of the protein-containing venom, you need to breakdown the protein. Dr Barry Paull, an allergy specialist with Allergy Associates of Brazos Valley, recommends dabbing the bite with diluted bleach or covering it with a paste of meat tenderizer and water. This method is not effective if more than 15 minutes have passed. Another option is to treat stings with an insect bite remedy containing benzocaine or other ingredients that deaden pain and protect against infection.
   Today marks the end of Fire Ant Awareness Week, and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service wants everyone to get in the game and "tackle fire ants in the fall for fewer ants in the spring."
   font size=+1bHere are some helpful tips to control fire ants. /b/font
   LIPlay in the fall. Late August through early October is an ideal time to apply fire ant bait to your lawn. At this time ants are still foraging, it's easier to predict weather patterns, and the slow-acting bait can take effect over the winter while you're indoors.
   LICome together as a team and plan your attack. Since fire ants travel from yard to yard, up with your neighbors to implement fire ant control programs at the same time. Decide what control method to use and whether to hire a professional or to treat the neighborhood yourselves.
   LIUse the right gear in the right way so you and the environment don't get hurt. Always remember to be careful and follow label directions. Also, only use insecticides when and where they are needed. Today's baits are gentle on the environment and are best applied using crank-type seeders or spreaders. LIConstantly attack their line until you reach the goal for a resounding victory. By starting your fire ant program in the fall and following a regular maintenance schedule thereafter, you'll see fewer ants and you will spend less time on injured reserve because of ants.
   LIThe Texas Agricultural Extension Service can provide more information including the brochure "Managing Red Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas". Simply contact the Nueces County Extension Office (767-5223) to attain a copy or for additional assistance. You can also check out the fire ant Web page, http://fireant.tamu.edu.
  
  
  
  

1999 Caller-Times Publishing Company, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.