Pest Management Professional, September 2012

Fire Ants fact vs fction Jeffrey McGovern Contributor Fiction Fire ants Solenopsis invicta only live in the Southern United States Fact Originally imported from South America fire ants are regularly found in Alabama Arkansas California Florida Georgia Mississippi Missouri Louisiana New Mexico North Carolina Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Virginia and Puerto Rico They have been found as far north as Maryland on the East Coast and Washington on the West Coast Fiction Fire ants serve no useful purpose Fact Although fire ants are frequently found around wood and mulch they do not damage wood In fact they eat termite and flea larvae as well as adult termites Unfortunately few people have found that they eat enough fleas and termites to justify their presence in yards and public spaces Fiction You can kill fire ants with corn grits or rice or club soda soapy water or boiling water Fact Fire ants seek liquid food so dry particles such as grits or rice are not attractive Corn grit often is used in fire ant bait but it is only the carrier for the oily insecticide This brings us to an important point about fire ant bait Never use bait that is not absolutely fresh If it is on sale likely left over from the previous season or has sat on the shelf for a while the oil in the corn and the toxicant might be rancid and repulsive to the ants Wet methods that involve pouring club soda soapy water or boiling water will kill ants but only if you pour enough to drown them Given the size and depth of the average mound and the pests propensity to reproduce bait is far more effective Fiction You can use gasoline to kill fire ants Fact You might also kill yourself in the process and still not affect much of the mound You also will kill any plants in the vicinity and contaminate your soil and ground water Just stick to the baits and insecticides They are safer more effective and cheaper in the long run Fiction Once youve destroyed the mound you dont have to worry any more Fact Managing fire ants successfully is a continuous process that takes commitment If any part of the mound remains survivors will relocate nearby As if they werent already well equipped for survival fire ants develop wings during mating and a mated female can fly a significant distance from her original home especially if the winds are favorable pmp You can reach McGovern a PMP and consultant at jeffreymcgovern@ mindspring com www mypmp net FEATURED PRODUCT CYNOFF INSECTICIDE DUST Formulated with zeta cypermethrin Cynoff insecticide dust delivers powerful long lasting control of bed bugs where liquid and pressurized insecticides cant go in wall voids around electrical outlets and other difficult to treat areas Cynoff insecticide dust Features exceptional float properties and an anti clumping formula Delivers even insecticidal coverage wherever it is applied Ideal for cracks crevices and voids To learn more about Cynoff dust and other bed bug products from FMC visit www verifibedbug com or contact your local FMC Market Specialist Always read and follow label directions FMC and Cynoff are trademarks of FMC Corporation 2012 FMC Corporation All rights reserved