Updated on March 13, 2023
Fire ant infestations are a serious problem in many parts of the world.
Not only can they nest in indoor and outdoor locations, but they also pose a threat to both humans and pets in your house.
Fire ants can cause havoc for anyone caring for their garden as these tiny critters are attracted to the rich organic soils and the wide variety of foods available in the average garden.
In an effort to control this menace, today we will be looking at some of the best fire ant killers for yards on the market today.
Interesting Facts About Fire Ants
- Unlike common household ants, fire ants are very aggressive and will sting if provoked.
- Think you may have been bitten by a fire ant? Fire ant bites leave tender and itchy white pustules on the skin that can last for several days and can lead to infection if not properly treated.
- These ants are very protective of their territory and are known to attack anything that intrudes on their nests, be it animals or people.
- Fire ant infestations can be devastating as they damage buildings, plants, air conditioning, and electrical wires.
- For some reason, fire ants are attracted to electrical currents, and they can cause severe damage by nesting in such places as electrical boxes.
- Fire ant workers in a single queen colony are territorial and will only forage food within their own territory.
- In contrast, fire ant workers in multi-queen colonies move freely from the mound to mound; this increases the amount of fire ant mounds per acre of land.
- Red imported fire ants build their mounds in almost any kind of soil available but prefer to nest in areas such as parks, lawns, pastures, and meadows.
What Do Fire Ants Eat?
Imported fire ants are omnivorous as they eat plants and animals (baby wasp pictured above) in order to satisfy their nutritional needs.
They forage for sugars, fats, and protein. Since the ants cannot ingest solid food, they prefer to feed on liquids.
Another source of food is oily materials, where in the garden, this includes seeds, seed pods, and insects.
Fire Ants In Your House
Many factors decide whether fire ants will enter your home. This could be due to weather conditions, or if after a heavy downpour, the fire ant colony mound has been damaged.
Try to establish where they are coming from and seal off the area immediately if possible. Completely eliminating a fire ant colony in their hill is the ideal solution. This means the queen fire ant is guaranteed to be killed off.
But if you cannot find the source of the ants (the ant hill) and ants have already entered your home, it is advisable to use ant bait indoors. The ant bait is a slow-acting poison that the worker ants will take back to the colony, where the poison will spread within the colony.
The bait poison method can take up to two weeks or so to kill the fire ant queen.
Related: Best Ant Bait Traps for Your Home
Fire Ants In Your Yard
If you have found a fire ant mound in your lawn or other area, it is time to take action immediately. Treating the mound will show results the quickest.
Here are some of the ways you can treat the fire ant mound:
Injection
The insecticide is injected directly into the mound, which can kill the fire ants effectively. however, it may not always reach the queen.
Remember, the queen is the main target.
Drenching
Pouring a toxic liquid all over the mound kills the fire ants that come in contact with it.
On the downside, it may not penetrate deep enough to target the queen and the other fire ants.
Surface Granules
Poisonous granules or fine powders are applied to the surface of the mound and surrounding areas which effectively gets rid of the fire ants and their mound.
Home Remedies
There are some home remedies, some more extreme than others, but generally, the most common home remedies for killing the fire ant colonies are:
- Using borax combined with protein such as peanut butter
- Pouring boiling water over the fire ant mound.
- Although not recommended, a few people have had success by drenching the ant mound with gasoline and then setting it on fire.
- A fourth option is combining a mixture of hot soapy water with citric acid then pouring the mixture onto the fire ant mound.
Home remedies (except the gasoline method) can be regarded as a safer way of battling a fire ant colony, but they will rarely be as quick and effective as a commercially available ant killer.
Best Fire Ant Killers For Yards
We will now look at some of the best fire ant killers on the market.
Many of the products available offer both short term and long term solutions. Ultimately, the choice is yours depending on the severity of the fire ant infestation and whether you need to target indoors or outdoors.
#1 – Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer
- Kills the queen and destroys the mound
- No watering-in required
- Treats up to 162 mounds (twin pack 324 mounds total)
Ortho Orthene is a surface treatment whereby you put the granules on and around the fire ant mound. When treating the mound with Ortho, try not to disturb the mound.
The formula begins to kill the fire ants within a few hours and approximately three days after the queen is killed.
You can spread the granules around the lawn and plants, including flowers shrubs and trees as a preventative measure.
Ortho is one of the best fire ant killing products and has been proven to have both short-term and long-term results. It even works on roaches.
Features
- Kills the fire ant queen and destroys the colony and mound
- No need to water the product into the mound
- Suitable for mounds, lawns, and plants
- You can treat new mounds as they appear
Pros:
- Long-lasting formula (up to 6 months)
- A fast-acting fire ant insecticide
- No need to dilute the granules in water before use
Cons:
- Has to be poured directly onto the mount
- Granules are highly toxic for others
#2 – Martin’s Surrender Fire Ant Killer
- Can not ship to AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA,...
- States Registered: AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, LA, MS, NC, NM, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Martin’s fire ant killer is a compelling product in a powder form that is shaken over the fire ant mound.
The active ingredient, acephate, is a highly potent insecticide that will kill fire ants within days.
Surrender fire ant killer is more suitable for outdoor mound treatment and is ideal to be used in residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
It can also be mixed with water to become a fire ant mound drencher.
Features
- Can be sprinkled on the fire ant mound directly.
- It can also be mixed with water to become a drench.
- Controls a wide variety of ants and other pests.
- Can treat up to 108 fire ant mounds.
- Fast-acting and effective formula.
Pros:
- Surrender is a potent insecticide.
- Kills a wide variety of bugs and other pests.
- The product has a long shelf life.
Cons:
- The smell of the product can be a little off-putting.
- Dangerous around pets and children.
#3 – Advion Fire Ant Bait
- Advion fire ant bait effective and fast acting. Combined with an alluring...
- Broadcast or mound treatment
- Recreation areas as well as institutional or private service areas
Advion is well known for its pest-killing products, and their fire ant bait is no exception.
This fire ant bait combines an effective formula to be fast-acting and will ensure that the fire ant colony is destroyed within three days.
The Advion fire ant bait can be spread around the lawn or deposited directly on the fire ant mound; both are recommended.
Features
- Effective fast-acting and alluring formula.
- 24-72 hour destruction of the fire ant colony.
- Cab be used as a broadcast or mound treatment.
- Effective against all life stages of fire ants.
- Can be used in recreation areas as well as institutional and private areas.
Pros
- Highly effective and proven formula.
- Very fast-acting, 24 to 72 hours.
- Kills a wide variety of unwanted pests.
Cons
- Expensive compared to other similar products.
- May require a spreader to cover the lawn.
#4 – BioAdvanced Fire Ant Killer Dust
BioAdvanced’s fire ant killer dust will get rid of those pesky fire ants once and for all! The product starts working immediately with just a few shakes over the mound.
As you apply it, watch as their colony is destroyed in 3 days thanks to its fast-acting formula that targets the queen and the entire mound.
Reliable and effective, it is also safe for use around pets and other animals. The contents of the package can treat up to 130 mounds.
Features
- Starts working immediately.
- EPA registered so it’s safe for people and the environment.
- One container treats up to 130 mounds.
- Does not require water like other products.
Pros:
- Odorless.
- Easy to use. Simply sprinkle the dust using the shaker top applicator.
- Works quickly. Destroys the entire colony (including queen) in 3 days or less.
- Contents of product will treat more fire ant hills than other competitors.
Cons:
- Not for sale in some states.
- The dust is very fine so you can’t apply on very windy days.
Eliminating Fire Ants with Pest Control
The above-mentioned fire ant killers are fairly effective in most cases. However, they may not be 100% effective in the face of a full-fledged fire ant infestation.
This is where a professional exterminator is necessary as they have access to stronger, commercial-grade products to effectively treat a severe fire ant problem.
To get multiple free no-obligation quotes from local pest control companies, simply click the link below to get started.
Final Words
Fire ants in your yard can cause all sorts of problems for your family and pets. While not common in many parts of the country, certain areas are more susceptible to get them.
If you are dealing with a fire ant infestation, there are several products you can use to eliminate the entire colony. However, for a severe fire ant issue, it is best to call in the professionals.
- How to Keep Mice Out of Dresser Drawers - July 20, 2022
- What Color Light Do Roaches Hate the Most? - May 21, 2022
- Does Gasoline Kill Termites? (How About Diesel, Motor Oil, or Petrol?) - April 4, 2022
