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Red ants, also known as fire ants, are stinging ants that can be found all around the world. Originally imported from South America, these ants have spread virtually uninhibited across the entire southern U.S. to become a significant problem for homeowners. The resiliency these ants show and the aggression with which they defend their nests poses as a challenge for anyone who tries to get rid of fire ants. In sufficient quantity, their sting can kill small animals and can even prove to be fatal for humans that have severe allergic reactions.
For most breeds of ants, a simple bait trap would prove to be sufficient, but given the resiliency of fire ants a more comprehensive treatment is required. To address this problem, researchers out of Texas A&M University developed a special technique to deal with these invasive ants. This process is affectionately known as the Texas Two Step, which as its name implies consists of a two step process known as broadcasting and drenching.
In the first step, you are required to "broadcast" a non-toxic bait insecticide. This insecticide should be spread in close proximity to the fire ant nests and also near their food source. This is key because the foragers will take the bait insecticide back to their nest, thereby contaminating their food supply and spreading it into the general population. Over a period of time a large percentage of the ants will have eaten the insecticide, and most importantly the queen ant is likely to be one of those infected ants. As a result of this, the queen will either become infertile or die. With the queen being no longer able to lay eggs, the population of the ant nest will start to decrease as the effects of the insecticide run through its course. The broadcast phase should take place during times of peak foraging activity in the summer or fall. This will help to ensure that the bait insecticide has the greatest impact as the ants are naturally feeding at this time.
For the second phase of this fire ant treatment, you follow up the "broadcast" with the "drenching" using an organic liquid insecticide. This liquid insecticide needs to be liberally applied to every nest within the radius of your oversight. Any ants that survived the initial bait insecticide should be terminated as a result of this drenching. I'm going to stress the importance of locating and treating all nests because they are often time hidden from plain sight, under logs or other obstructions. If you fail to treat all the nests, the ants will simply regroup to form a new nest nearby. It is generally recommended to apply this step after the winter months have subsided and spring time is approaching. At this time the ants are mostly confined to their nests and they haven't yet ramped up for peak foraging activity in the summer.
Often times people hear that if you pour 2-3 gallons of boiling hot water on a nest, which will kill the ants. While this is true it is much less effective than a true liquid insecticide. As a matter of fact, boiling water is only 60% effective and that's only after following step one where you're using a bait insecticide. The other problem with boiling water is that it has the tendency to kill nearby vegetation such as grants or plants - this is why the organic liquid insecticide is the preferred method when dealing with ants.
Follow these two steps for a knockout victory and rid yourself of fire ants with a well executed one, two punch!
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
