So do I. The kittie is studying and standing by...
Posted on 06/11/2006 3:31:25 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
In the 70 years since the imported red fire ant sneaked into Mobile aboard a ship from Brazil, no insect has been more vilified or subjected to such a relentless chemical assault from Southern homeowners, gardeners and farmers.
Even the government joined the quest to kill the pest, but through it all, the fire ant has not merely endured, but prospered, expanding from its original beachhead in Alabama to populate 320 million acres in 18 states.
Every year as the weather heats up, Southerners notice anew the earthen mounds of Solenopsis invicta rising like the pyramids of some ancient city, from lawns, pastures, parks and golf courses, visible proof that the tiny stinging ants, the bane of barefoot living and curse of the constant gardener, are here to stay.
Still, the battle rages. Hardware and garden store shelves overflow with chemicals designed to keep the ants in check potions and poisons that promise "Entire Colonies Destroyed Within 3-7 Days," and granules that vow to "Kill the Queen in 24 Hours." For big jobs, there are special chemical drenches, pressure injectors, scalding steam, bait stations and chemical spreaders.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the cost of pesticides and other control efforts, plus damage caused by the ants, is $6.5 billion a year.
Although the ant's sting unsually amounts to little more than a painful annoyance, it can be life-threatening when inflicted in sufficient numbers on hypersensitive individuals, infants, or the elderly. Birds, turtles, small deer and calves occasionally fall victim to swarms of fire ants. Their large mounds, up to 18 inches high, have also been known to damage farm implements and lawn mowers.
Chad Grosklags, co-owner of U-Spray Inc. in Lilburn, says he gets hundreds of calls a year from homeowners seeking solutions to the "ants from hell."
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
In the past two years, I have discovered 5 fire-ant mounds on my suburban residential lot in Memphis, to which I have applied 5 half-cupfuls of Amdro granules and 10 gallons of water, using a 2-gallon watering can.
They might return, but I still have half a bag of Amdro if they do.
Argentines are a menace to the native ants. The Calif. fire ant and the Calif. harvester, both of which have nasty stings, are no match for the sheer numbers of Argentines. I've seen them go against the bigger, heftier harvester, and they just rat pack them. They set up their nests in the vicinity of the harvesters or fires, and when their numbers are enough, it's all over. Argentines can survive in lower temperatures than either native species mentioned, which gives them an advantage during the winter. Their colonies also merge and work together, which other ant species don't do. Talk about unwanted aliens!!
Colgate worked pretty good on my kids when they were growing up. It also helps with mosquito bites too. It has something to do with an ingredient in the paste. Don't know what it is though, I'll have to look that up.
Well, if this is gonna be a fire ant thread I do remember the days, about 1960, when the old WWII bombers flew low over our house and poured out fire ant bait all over us. Atlanta, GA.
Despite Charlie Pickett's friendly advice, never had any luck with Amdro.
I also keep handy some of this mixture:
1 gallon waterStir just to mix. Drench ant mound with entire batch immediately.
2 cups household ammonia
1-2 squirts dish detergent
I reckon the ammonia burns/suffocates them and the detergent provides enough slickness to let the liquid penetrate deep into the mound.
I don't want to sound like an eco-nut, but do fire ants have any natural enemies?
Well, how about another low-tech approach? Baited piles of sticky paper, like the kind they use to catch mice? The critters'd get stuck and stay put until you could squoosh 'em, torch 'em, whatever.
You're one of the good guys, you're thoughtful. It may well be that Oshkalaboomboom is only guilty of choosing one of the more sillier FR names.:) And quite often people don't catch one's intended joke, and that's why we need the sarcasm tags.
I do think, though, that courtesy requires Oshkalaboomboom to return to the thread and clear things up.
Salt works well on fire ant bites.
Soapy water kills fire ants. You can also use spray glue to kill them. They die like flies. :)
Maybe..but something seems *very* wrong. Obtuse posters should never be sarcastic. People have been buried in fire ant hills for less:)
So do I. The kittie is studying and standing by...
BUUUWWWAAHAAAHAAAAAA! (had to add a maniacal laugh!)
If we are the "evil" human race, you could help out by removing yourself from the population. That is unless you are a hypocrite.
I was told by a pest control person...the enemy was termites! Don't know which one I would prefer????
I thought vinegar worked pretty well. I use it on dear fly bites. Helps a lot.
Oshie seemed right as Reagan on the Dixie Chix threads.
But yes, some explanation is necessary, as he is a spankin newbie.
Hey. Are you discussing W's immigration policy?
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