GARDENING AND PESTICIDES :: FIRE ANTS

The Two-Step method designed by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service is a simple approach, which if done once to twice a year, can control and help eliminate fire ants. Using this specifically targeted approach will help protect our environment.

Precautions

Improper use of chemicals may result in ant colonies simply moving out instead of being wiped out. Also excessive use of chemicals could damage our environment. Some of the common chemical pesticides have been detected in Arlington’s waterways. To keep our waterways clean, we must use appropriate methods when applying chemicals.

Remember

• Follow all label instructions.
• Never apply any chemicals to your yard if rain is predicted in the next 24 hours.
• Never pour or wash pesticides into the street or into a street curb inlet. These chemicals will enter the storm drain system and ultimately flow to Arlington’s waterways.

You may dispose of unwanted household chemicals at the Environmental Collection Center, 817-871-5257, at 6400 Bridge Street, Fort Worth, Texas. There is no charge for the service.

The Two-Step Method

Step 1: Broadcast a Bait

Understand that baits work slowly; it may take from 1 to 10 weeks depending on the product used.

Apply baits when worker ants are actively searching for food. Ants are less active during cold and hot periods. In the summer, apply bait in late afternoon or evening when the ants are most active.

Examples of Fire Ant Baits* are: Amdro®, Combat®, Logic®, Award®, and Maxforce®

• Spread a fire ant bait product over the whole yard.
• Use a hand held seeder set at the smallest opening size.
• Walk over the entire yard at a normal pace.

Step 2: Treat Individual Mounds

    Apply 3 to 5 days after applying a bait.

• Treat individual mounds that are causing an immediate problem such as those near a building foundation, heavy traffic areas, near electrical equipment or in a play area.
• Choose either a dust, liquid, granular, injectable or non-chemical individual mound treatment. Follow all label instructions.

Examples are *: Dust: Orthene®, Liquid Organic Plus®, or Orthene®, Granular Velocity®, Injectables pyrethrins

Non-chemicals soapy water, Boiling water (Use care; boiling water can burn user and will kill grass.)

*Products listed are for example purposes only and their listing is not an endorsement.

Other Pests

Fleas

• Vacuuming can remove 15 to 30% of larvae and 30-60% of flea eggs from carpet.
• Throw away bag weekly, if using a non replaceable bag, seal in a plastic bag and place in the sun to kill fleas and eggs.

Pet Treatment

• Bath time. Soap is a mild insecticide.
• Over the counter products can help.
• More serious problems consult a Vet. A Vet may prescribe growth regulators that disrupt the development of flea eggs and larvae.

Home And Yard Treatment

• Indoor applications such as citrus oil based sprays.
• Attract and kill adult fleas by leaving a dish of soapy water on the floor under a lamp.
• Outdoors try low toxicity fenoxycarb sprays. Spray in areas such as under decks, shrubbery, any places where your pet spends a lot of time. Do not treat the entire yard or you may kill good bugs.

Ticks

• Remove tick lures such as piles of wood and trash that may attract mice and place bird feeders away from the house
• Cut vegetation below ankle height.