Understanding and Controlling Resilient Fire Ants

Fire ants are a significant problem across a large range of operations, especially in warmer regions. But what makes fire ants and their colonies so resilient? And more importantly, how can they effectively be controlled? By understanding the risks and implementing effective control measures, you can reduce the threat they pose to people, livestock, and your operation.

Fire ants have several characteristics that make them resilient and able to thrive in various environments:

• Their colonies are highly organized and efficient, with aggressive defense mechanisms. When their mounds are disturbed, they swarm out in large numbers to defend their territory, delivering painful stings.
• Fire ants are incredibly adaptable and can survive in a wide range of conditions. They build their nests in various locations, including lawns, pastures, and under structures. They can also form floating rafts during floods, allowing the colony to survive and relocate to new areas.
• Their efficient foraging behavior allows them to sustain and grow their colonies rapidly. A single queen can lay thousands of eggs each day, leading to rapid colony expansion.

Implementing Effective Control Measures

Given their resilience, controlling fire ant colonies requires a strategic and proactive approach. Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait and Extinguish® Plus can be effective tools for colony control when used proactively.

Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait

Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait contains the active ingredient (S)-methoprene, an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR). This IGR specifically targets the fire ant queen's reproductive ability, preventing young colonies from developing into a problem. By disrupting the queen's reproduction, this bait effectively reduces the colony's growth, leading to its eventual decline. Approved for use anywhere fire ants are found, our applications page highlights labeled areas for use.

Extinguish® Plus Fire Ant Bait

Extinguish® Plus combines an adulticide with the long-lasting control of an IGR, providing two-way action against fire ant colonies. This bait can be used in various environments, including sod farms, pastures, and rangelands. Colony reduction begins within a week, and colony elimination may be seen within two weeks. Extinguish® Plus offers a comprehensive solution by targeting both adult ants and their reproductive cycle. Approved for use around non-bearing saplings and trees, a full list of sites can be found on our applications page.

Use Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait and Extinguish® Plus as part of a proactive treatment plan. Apply these baits according to the recommended guidelines to ensure optimal results. Also, both Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait and Extinguish® Plus are on the EPA Quarantine list.

For more detailed information, check out our application pages for Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait and Extinguish® Plus.