Wed
Oct 17 2007
07:35 am
Here's another voice I love to read
By: WhitesCreek

Juanita Jean

And yes, I think Fire Ants have gotten into Roane County.

Fire ants

Submitted by onetahiti on October 17, 2007 - 10:45am.

Fire ants have been here for years.

If anyone knows of an all-natural, nonpoison-related way of getting rid of them, please post!

-- OneTahiti

We are right on the edge of FireAntery

Submitted by WhitesCreek on October 17, 2007 - 10:04am.

fire ant range

As varmits go, there are worse.

These woods have had fire ants for years

Submitted by onetahiti on October 17, 2007 - 10:47am.

On that map we ought to have a red dot for "certain," at least in this neck of the woods.

-- OneTahiti

They passed by my yard for years going north.

Submitted by Tyler on October 17, 2007 - 7:15pm.

They lived (mounds) in my yard along the roadside for several years and I suspect still do but, this past year has been the least active in several years, none at present. There is no activity from my observations in my neighborhood. I've ran them from one location to another location with product from our co-op and hardware stores until this past year. I think they'll resurface and I would apply a more organic or natural product if easily obtained. Good luck in the battle.

Fire Ants

Submitted by LISAinTN on August 22, 2012 - 11:13am.

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but has anyone had any luck getting rid of fire ants? If so, what did you use? I'd really like to go the organic route, if possible, as I had kidney cancer last year and am trying to stay away from chemicals. That being said, I just stepped in a nest of them while hanging towels on the line and my cat has also recently been attacked, so if I have to, I'll use something non-organic.

I've done a little reading and it seems it makes it easy for them to gain a foothold in areas that have been excavated. Excavating takes out existing ant colonies and allows fire ants to come in. We just built a house last year and all of our yard that was excavated is being taken over by these fire ant mounds. If anyone has any suggestions, my feet and ankles would appreciate it!

Lisa

Here's what I use...

Submitted by WhitesCreek on August 22, 2012 - 3:20pm.

From an organic garden website:

Boiling Water

This method is most effective when most of the ants are close to the mound surface, such as on cool, sunny mornings or after a rainfall. Research has shown that approximately 3 gallons of boiling water will eliminate about 60% of the mounds treated. Remember that the queen can be several feet below ground and if she is not killed the mound will survive. Use care when handling large quantities of boiling water to avoid serious burns.

Mostly I ignore them unless they are in the walking paths or where pets or babies will play.

Thanks

Submitted by LISAinTN on August 22, 2012 - 3:38pm.

Thank you, WC. I'm willing to try anything. They are all over the yard where we walk. I'm guessing there are 10 -15 mounds out there at any given time. I read online that the queen can be 25 feet below ground. Can that be right? If so, the water wouldn't get down that far, would it?

New nests won't be that

Submitted by WhitesCreek on August 22, 2012 - 4:16pm.

New nests won't be that deep.

If you decide you need to go

Submitted by ConcernedCitizen on August 23, 2012 - 7:40am.

If you decide you need to go the chemical route this stuff works as advertised. (link...)

"Ortho Orthene 12 oz. Fire Ant Killer. Place 1 teaspoon of Orthene powdered mix over a mound and worker ants track it in, killing the queen and destroying the entire fire ant colony in 3 - 7 days. The ready-to-use mix does not need to be watered into the mound and does not require disturbing ant mounds while treating."

Thanks again

Submitted by LISAinTN on August 23, 2012 - 7:59am.

Thank you WC and CC. Hopefully I can get rid of my invaders. Have a great day.

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