Protect the health of your plants and operation from damaging fire ants

Once they take hold, fire ants cause an enormous deal of damage both physically and financially. Proactive control is essential for protecting your nursery and bottom line. Here are 10 things you need to know about identifying and treating fire ants:

1. Be Aware of Your Regional Risk:

Fire ant infestations are most likely to occur in regions that average minimum winter temperatures above 10°F and rainfall of more than 10 inches per year.

2. Correctly Identify Your Fire Ant Species:

Whether you’re dealing with imported or native fire ants (protein feeding), Southern (California) fire ants, harvester ants, big-headed ants, or Argentine ants, identification is key to selecting the correct bait. To learn how to properly identify your species, visit centralantcontrol.com/ant-id/.

3. Use Bait Specific to Fire Ants:

Not all ant baits are designed to prevent fire ants. Make sure the bait you select is formulated for the species you’re dealing with by reading the label before purchase.

4. Choose the Best Application Method for Your Area:

Spread fire ant bait with a hand-held seed spreader, backpack, or with motorized equipment or aircraft depending on need.

5. Apply Preventatively:

Applying bait two to three times annually helps maintain consistent fire ant control and prevents colonies from developing. Fire ants typically forage when soil temperatures exceed 60°F. Early spring and late summer or early fall are ideal times to work fire ant control into your seasonal plan.

6. Treat When Fire Ants Are Foraging:

Apply bait when ants are active and foraging, so worker ants will carry the bait back to the colony. Place a crumbled potato chip near a mound and watch for fire ant activity.

7. Apply When Conditions are Dry:

Dew, irrigation, or rain can reduce bait attractiveness and effectiveness. Always apply to dry areas. A good rule-of-thumb for dry application is to refrain from applying bait within six hours of rainfall or expected rain.

8. Use Individual Mound Treatments as Needed:

Distribute bait uniformly around mounds at no more than 2 pounds per acre (the standard for most bait). Take care not to disturb mound during application.

9. Check Stock to Protect Plants and Soil from Infestation:

The risk of spreading fire ant infestations increases when materials are shipped or received. Commercial nurseries, in particular, see the economic impact with costs of shipping or receiving fire ant–infested plant material or soil.

10. Have Patience and Be Consistent:

Baits take time to work, and they work best when applied consistently. Follow label instructions as provided for best results.

Extinguish® Plus fire ant bait meets USDA fire ant quarantine requirements and provides both short-term and long-term fire ant control. It combines an adulticide with an insect growth regulator, helping reduce colonies and prevent new generations at the same time. Extinguish® Plus fire ant bait can be used with confidence around people, livestock, and pets.

Protect the health of your plants and your operation from damaging fire ants today by visiting centralantcontrol.com and making Extinguish® Plus fire ant bait part of your pest control strategy.