need to deal with fire ants, don't want to harm other ants if possible

May 18, 2024 1:42 PM

What's the best way to deal with _only_ fire ants while not harming other ants? I had a bottle of very effective powder last year, but can't find it again. It was great because it went directly on one mound, which let me think that it might not harm other bugs much.

Cost is a factor, but the fire ant population here is growing and something needs to be done.

I know Terro is a good brand, I know that I need an insecticide that works on non-sugar-seeking ants.

I have access to Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, and Walmart stores locally; I'd prefer not to order something from Amazon if possible.

I can't find "inexpensive bottle of powder made by Terro for fire ants" anywhere, so I guess I need to choose another product. I could use some advice from someone with entomology and/or pesticide knowledge.

I'm looking for specific items that I can go to a store and buy... ideas? Thanks!

posted by amtho to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

I am not familiar with the Terro brand, but the ant-killing powder that I know about that works by being put in direct contact with the ants is diatomaceous earth.
posted by heatherlogan at 1:50 PM on May 18 [3 favorites]

Was it this stuff?

Anecdotally, I killed a fire ant nest with several applications of boiling water, but according to Google I just got really lucky that it worked (the fire ants have never returned almost 2 decades on, but I definitely still get odorous house ants and carpenter ants).
posted by smangosbubbles at 1:52 PM on May 18 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I would use diatomaceous earth, but this is for outdoors, so the moisture would render it ineffective. It also wouldn't be brought to the interior of the mound, so it would just neutralize a few worker ants and that's all, I think.
posted by amtho at 1:53 PM on May 18 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: smangos - I found that, and might end up using it, but: it's not a powder, it's granules. Which might be fine, but I worry the granules will stay active for a long time, increasing the risk to other insects. On the other hand, I don't know that the powder is any kinder -- it might soak into the soil more, for example.
posted by amtho at 2:00 PM on May 18

Dish washing detergent in water, a tablespoon or two per gallon. They drown very quickly once they are wetted and kept wet.

They don't like it at all, and you have to be ready for them to come storming out of the ground as soon as you start applying it. Keep applying it.

You want to get a gallon or 4 into the nest asap, and the wet them above ground with coarse spray. It suffocates earthworms and termites as well.
posted by the Real Dan at 3:21 PM on May 18

Best answer: Home Depot carries Terro Ant Dust, according to their website. You could have it shipped to the store for free and pick it up there.
posted by sriracha at 6:44 AM on May 19

Best answer: The good stuff is this Ortho stuff you pour right on the mound. It only works on the mound you pour it on, and you don't have to water it in like some other stuff, so you don't get a stream of angry ants coming for you. I don't know exactly how long it stays in the ground, but I do know that in my parent's yard, the insect population remains healthy after using this when necessary.

Sorry for your plight. I grew up in Florida and don't miss fire ants one bit.
posted by advicepig at 7:06 AM on May 20