HOW to GET RID of FIRE ANTS

Fire Ants are considerd the most dangerous and common ants in the United States because they have a poisonous bite. The only difference between treating Fire Ants and treating any other speicies of ants is that the process takes a little bit longer. Fire Ants are attracted to electrical junction boxes of traffic signals, air conditioners, etc. When Fire Ants mass around the electrical contact points, they can cause the equipment to malfunction. Fire Ants usually prefer food with high protein content, but will feed on almost anything, plant or animal.

FIRE ANTS INSPECTION

Fire Ants are naturally found in ground nests. However, some Fire Ants nest in wood or masonry of buildings, especially in areas near the soil or warmth such as fireplace hearths. When Fire Ants build their nest near the house, it is usually near the kitchen. Nests located outdoors are usually located under stones or other covering objects, such as in the soil at the base of a tree or shrub, or in clumps in the grass. They will also nest in gas and water meter boxes and pipes.

FIRE ANTS CONTROL METHODS

Prevention:

To control ants, it is commonly recommended to use baits. The 3 different types of baits are: granule, gel, and liquid. When using granule and gel, the ants will carry the granule and gel back to the colony to kill the entire colony. But liquid, will rub on the ant's body as it goes back to the colony to kill off the entire colony. Only spraying the surface will not kill the colony ants (except for the one being sprayed at the time). Using baits will help kill off the colony. Even when you kill thousands of ants that are seen it is not effective because the Queen ant will still be alive and continue to reproduce more ants.
You may take these steps to prevent Ant infestation:

1. Correct moisture problems, roof leaks, and plumbing leaks.
2. Cut back tree limbs or branches that could serve as a bridge to your structure.
3. Seal cracks and openings around the foundation, especially where utility pipes and wires enter from the outside.
4. Firewood needs to be stacked away from the house, elevated off the ground if possible.

Crack and Crevice Treatments:

This treatment is generally applied with a liquid spray, dust, aerosols, or certain bait formulas.

Liquid formula:
(PHANTOM TERMITICIDE / INSECTICIDE , MASTERLINE BIFENTHRIN, SUSPEND SC, TERMIDOR SC)
For liquid spray application, you will need to have a pressure sprayer or a gallon sprayer (CHAPIN 1 GALLON SPRAYER). You will need to apply by using the amount that is instructed on the label and need to reapply if needed. You will have to use a low pressure system with a pinpoint or variable pattern nozzle to apply the spray mixture to areas such as floors, cracks and crevices in and around baseboards, walls, and expansion joints, areas around water and sewer pipes, and voids formed by equipment or appliances.

Dust:
(DELTA DUST, DRIONE DUST)
The dust application is simple. However, when using dust please be cautious especially when children and pests are present. Use dust only in areas where they cannot reach. Both of the dusts,DELTA DUST, DRIONE DUST, you will need to use a BELLOWBULB DUSTER or a CENTROBULB DUSTER. When using BELLOWBULB DUSTER or a CENTROBULB DUSTER forDELTA DUST, DRIONE DUST. You will need to fill the duster with the dust as directed in the label and applyDELTA DUST or DRIONE DUSTto voids or channels in damaged wooden members of a structure, to cracks, spaces or bearing joints between the wooden members of a structure. Apply lightly and uniformly to infested area. DO NOT OVER USE DUST.

Aerosol: (V ONE PYRETHRUM , CY-KICK AEROSOL, PRO CITRA DL BOTANICAL INSECTCIDE , CB-80 EXTRA, D- FORCE HPX, JK27 RESIDUAL)
For the use ofV ONE PYRETHRUM , CY-KICK AEROSOL, PRO CITRA DL BOTANICAL INSECTCIDE , CB-80 EXTRA, D- FORCE HPX, JK27 RESIDUAL, as in all of the aerosol products, there are residual and non-residual products. We do not recommend that you spray residual aerosol products on surfaces such as mattresses, bed covers, furniture, and in open air because it can be harmful to certain humans who are allergic to certain chemicals and pets, that is why you would need to enclose the room for about 2-3 hours. You would need to apply aerosols as a crack and crevice treatment into cracks, crevices and voids, where ants may be traveling and/or harboring, including, but not limited to, around doors, window frames, wall voids and other structural cracks and crevices which can possibly count as an entry point

Bait formulas:
(GOURMET ANT BAIT GEL, MAXFORCE ANT BAIT GEL , DUPONT ADVION ANT GEL BAIT ) to be applied to small cracks and crevices in a structure where ants may enter, trail, or find harborage.

Broadcast Treatments:

This treatment is generally used for large turf or other landscape areas and contains directions for specific amounts of the product to be applied as a liquid spray, granule, or a bait system. Broadcast treatments are usually for the entire lawn.

Liquid Spray:
(PHANTOM TERMITICIDE / INSECTICIDE , MASTERLINE BIFENTHRIN, SUSPEND SC, TERMIDOR SC)
For this treatment we suggest a 1 gallon sprayer for the application of liquid spray (CHAPIN 1 GALLON SPRAYER). Following the directions on the label, you would spray the entire lawn with the solution. If you should find an ant mound, you should use more solution than the other areas in detail on the mound; a four foot diameter circle around the mound should also be treated. For the best results, you should apply in cool weather (65 - 80F) or in early morning or late evening hours, because in high temperature, the solution will break down and the result will not be as effective.

Granule:
(TALSTAR PL GRANULAR, TALSTAR EZ GRANULAR , BIFEN GRANULES , DELTAGARD G GRANULE)
To use granule (TALSTAR PL GRANULAR, TALSTAR EZ GRANULAR , BIFEN GRANULES , DELTAGARD G GRANULE) we suggest that you use a handle spreader to apply it (HANDLE SPREADER ). You will need to follow the directions on the label on the amount that you should use. Then you will need to irrigate if the soil is not moist before application.

Bait:
(ADVANCE 375A, NIBAN GRANULAR BAIT, MAXFORCE FIRE ANT BAIT)
For the use of bait,ADVANCE 375A, NIBAN GRANULAR BAIT, MAXFORCE FIRE ANT BAIT, you would not need a handle spreader for baits, you can just spread the bait using the container. You would need to apply this product as uniformly as possible, using the directions of the rate and amount needed on the label. Repeat application if it is necessary.

Drench Treatments:

For this application, we suggest you use a gallon sprayer (CHAPIN 1 GALLON SPRAYER). Mixing a liquid formula following label directions and then applying the entire volume of the mixed liquid directly to the problem area such as an ant mound (PHANTOM TERMITICIDE / INSECTICIDE , MASTERLINE BIFENTHRIN, SUSPEND SC, TERMIDOR SC). It will take approximately 1-2 gallons of dilution for each mound area. Spray the mound until wet and apply to a 4 foot diameter circle around the mound. If the mounds are larger than 12 inches use a higher volume. Applications should be made in cool weather, as in early morning or late evening hours, and not in the heat of the day because the solution will breakdown and not be as effective.

Barrier Treatments:

This treatment includes applying a liquid spray, granular, or baits products to zone around a structure that any pest ant might enter the zone. These are sometimes called perimeter treatments, where soil areas are adjacent to a structure as well as a portion of the lower foundation wall next to the soil are treated (PHANTOM TERMITICIDE / INSECTICIDE , MASTERLINE BIFENTHRIN, SUSPEND SC, TERMIDOR SC). Barrier treatments or perimeter treatments are used just around the structure of your home to create a "barrier" for your home. We suggest that you use a gallon sprayer as well (CHAPIN 1 GALLON SPRAYER). Using the directions of the amount and the rate that you should use, you should treat a band 6 to 8 feet wide and next to the structure and the foundation of the structure to a height of 2 to 3 feet. For better results, you will need to use this treatment regularly to reduce the amount of insects and to keep your house insect free.

Void Treatments:

This treatment is recommended to use when you have an infestation in an area that you cannot reach such as inside walls, blocks, or other structural voids. Treat for ant activity within by drilling a small hole if needed; you can remove electric outlet cover and use the space to treat inside voids. Dust and aerosol formulas are generally preferred here.

Dust:
(DELTA DUST, DRIONE DUST)
When using the void treatment and after drilling a hole or removing the electric outlet cover, you will insert the tip of the duster (BELLOWBULB DUSTER or a CENTROBULB DUSTER) containing the dust (DELTA DUST, DRIONE DUST) into the hole and use as directed.

Aerosol formula:
(V ONE PYRETHRUM , CY-KICK AEROSOL, PRO CITRA DL BOTANICAL INSECTCIDE , CB-80 EXTRA, D- FORCE HPX, JK27 RESIDUAL)
Using the aerosol formula (V ONE PYRETHRUM , CY-KICK AEROSOL, PRO CITRA DL BOTANICAL INSECTCIDE , CB-80 EXTRA, D- FORCE HPX, JK27 RESIDUAL), be cautioned because aerosol is a liquid so do not use in electric outings, use only dust. You will just need to attach a thin straw to the nozzle depending on the product, and spray it into the void.