Although you can find countless indigenous ant species that aren’t super aggressive or invasive, black imported fire ants and red imported fire ants are particularly nasty species you should get rid of once located.
The health risks of the bites and stings of fire ants cannot be underestimated, causing an instant pain and burning sensation to their victims, which may result in red bumps forming at the sting that become white fluid-filled pustules within only a day or two. Some people may even develop allergic reactions to their painful bites.
Not to mention that The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that these invasive ants cause billions of dollars in annual agricultural losses, not including the expense of treating victims!
With that said, read on to figure out how to get rid of these nasty pests once and for all!
Where Fire Ants Are Found
While black fire ants (BIFAs) are only present in Alabama, northern Mississippi, and some areas of Tennessee, red fire ants (RIFAs) can be found in many southern and southwestern states. (See my article on regions where fire ants are most common).
Although both types of fire ants are extremely aggressive, red fire ants cause the biggest harm to people, pets, and crops, due to their larger numbers.
Top 5 Fool-proof Methods To Kill Fire Ants
Now that you understand the enemy, here’s how to kill it:
1. You Can’t Go Wrong with Pesticides
Drenching the fire ant mound with a liquid pesticide is one of the simplest and most effective ways to eliminate the fire ant problem. The best thing about pesticides is that they’re specially made to get really deep into the ant pile, unlike other non-chemical ‘remedies.’
You should make at least 2-3 gallons of solution and use it to drench the ant pile because liquid products are frequently extremely concentrated.
- Warning: this method is not risk-free by any means since you have to stand close to the ant hill to pour the solution, and you risk splashing the insecticide in your face or spilling it on your body. So, play it safe and avoid using pesticides if you or at least wear protective gloves, clothing, and face coverings.
If ants are a problem in your area, we highly recommend using ant spray for instant results, especially if you’re sick and tired of trying ineffective home remedies. And don’t worry, it’s safe to use an aerosol spray (as long as you trust the brand!) in any room of your house, including the kitchen and areas where your kids and pets hang out.
2. Give them a Really Hot Shower
While this might seem like a horrible way to get rid of fire ants, it might work for you if you exhausted all the possibilities. Also, this is not the best method to get rid of ant hills, and it’s unlikely that the hot boiling water will get deep into the nest and reach the queen.
Texas A&M University estimates that the hot water method is effective 60% of the time. So if you seek effectiveness, skip the boiling water and try drenching the mound with liquid insecticide or use ant bait instead.
But again, this method can help you get rid of some ants if this is the only one you can follow now, and there are thousands of fire ants on your property—half of a loaf is better than none!
3. Try Non-chemical Remedies (Not Very Effective!)
If you don’t want to use chemical remedies for any reason, there are some no-so-effective remedies to help you decrease the number of fire ants on your property:
- White vinegar solution: Mix a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on the fire ant hill. You can also spray your house’s windows, floors, and tiles with this solution to prevent ants from entering the house.
- Dish soap solution: Mix one part dish soap with two parts water in a spray bottle and give it a good shake. This solution can be sprayed on the ant hills to suffocate and kill some ants.
- Lemon juice solution: This solution consists of 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water, which can be applied similarly to the vinegar and dish soap solution.
- Boric acid method: Fire ants that ingest boric acid—a naturally occurring substance— die from stomach poisoning. This acid comes in the form of a blue or white powder that can be sprinkled in the areas where ants are found.
Don’t expect outstanding results when you opt for non-chemical remedies because they’re not as effective as chemical ones. Lower your expectations when you douse the fire ant mound with white vinegar/dish soap/lemon juice, and water!
I should clarify that while home remedies can work to fill fire ants, they don’t compare to the effectiveness of chemical solutions.
- If All Else Fails, Seek Professional Help
Unlike normal people who try to kill fire ants on their property, professional exterminators know exactly what they do, and they’ve probably been killing ants for many years. Additionally, they have access to strong and effective insecticides, unlike those sold over the counter. There are some potent products that only a licensed professional can use due to the risk they pose to both the environment and human health.
So, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of killing thousands of fire ants, just get a certified applicator to do the work for you!
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the proper ways to get rid of and protect your family against these nasty pests, go ahead and follow these methods to a tee so you can finally live peacefully on your property without having to deal with the misery of getting stung by a fire ant again.
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