I HATE gardening here in TX! I’m also convinced that Amdro, etc. just makes them move to another location. Damn things never really die.
I read an article back in the 90’s that a guy has developed a probe like device that you stick into the and apply an electrical charge that “shorts” out their antenna and they begin killing each other and the mound dies within days. I never saw another mention of it so I surmised the pesticide companies bought him out?
The premise made sense to me.
It took several years but my neighbors and I managed to eradicate every fire ant mound on our properties. Virtually no fire ants for almost ten years. Unfortunately, my next door neighbor passed away and the fire ants retook control of his property. After the rains last weekend, I counted over a dozen new mounds on my property and that was based on a quick walk around. I know what I will be doing this weekend.
I have found the most effective way to control them is to pour Ortho Orthene directly on each mound whenever you find one and regularly broadcast Amdro all over your property.
Nasty buggers...one of our dogs ran through a fire ant dirt mound and I got the hell bit out of me taking care of him. Had to dunk him in a tub of soapy water to suffocate the bastards.
Have you tried instant grits?
Worked quite well on the fire ants in SC.