Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Farm and Home

Fire ants cost farmers and homeowners millions of dollars each year. April has been designated Fire Ant Awareness Month in the state of Arkansas. Spring is a good time to learn how to control them.

Homeowners can use the 'two step method,' a simple approach that will effectively control fire ants in heavily infested areas when conducted once or twice a year.

The first step is to broadcast a bait insecticide over the entire yard. Two baits commercially available are Amdro and Award (formerly Logic).

The best time to apply bait is in the spring and fall, although baits can be applied any time during the warm season when ants are active. If possible, bait should not be applied within 12 hours of a rain.

The second step is to treat individual problem areas with an approved mound drench, granule, aerosol or dust insecticide seven to ten days after the bait has been applied. Treat individual mounds that are causing immediate problems, such as those along building foundations or next to high-traffic areas such as sidewalks or around children's play equipment. Most mounds that receive only the slower-acting bait treatment will eventually be eliminated.

In some parts of Arkansas, entire communities have banded together in an effort to control fire ants. If you are interested in additional information concerning fire ant control, contact the Nevada County Cooperative Extension Service office at 887-2881 or visit us at 532 West First Street South in Prescott.