Fire Ants anyone???

Here in NC I think our state critter should be the fire ant. They are coming up all over the place. I was working outside in the garden, trying to plant some things and their hills just pop up out of nowhere. They start biting immediately. Leave nasty bites and take forever to heal. We use an ant killer, but it really doesn't prevent them from moving everywhere they can around the yard. Anyone else have those problems.

[flash3992]

NO THANKS!! When I got out of the Army, I went to Florida to stay with my Grandparents who were getting up in age. I was basically a caretaker. I use to mow the lawn, clean up around the house, run errands, etc. I found out about "fire ants" the hard way!! For such a tiny little red thing, they sure do pack a punch! I was just walking through the yard, with "flipflops" on and stepped on a hill. BIG mistake. I'd only been in Florida about a month, had never dealt with fire ants before. Needless to say those little buggers LIT ME UP! Made me see the err of my ways. As far as how to get rid of them goes,,,,I have no clue. But if ANYONE out there has a way to defeat these tiny terrors, PLEASE post. My brother and sister still live in Florida.

[Scoozie]

When we lived in NC (we moved to OH this past June) we would call the local extension office, and they would come out and take care of the fire ants for us (free). They are no fun.

[verwon]

I have no idea what to do about them but I do have a funny tale in relation to this:

When I was a child, my older sister, Theresa was out laying in our yard in the sun on a blanket on day. She fell asleep with her mouth open and a fire ant crawled in and bit her on the tongue. It swelled so bad, they had to take her in to get a shot at the ER to bring it down.

[momof3girls]

We used a product called OVER AND OUT. You can get it at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Home Depot. It is in a blue colored bag. I spread it around our entire yard, almost 2 acres, last spring and we didn't have any fireants in our yard. This stuff has a gaurentee to keep fireants out of your yard for a year or your money will be refunded. It cost around $20 a bag and I think 1 bag covers around 5000 square feet. My kids ran through our yard in barefeet and laid on the ground and everything, no ants. I'm going to get some more for this season.

Well that sounds like some good stuff. I will have DH pick some up. My legs are just covered with sores from the things. They hurt!!! They itch!!! Fire ants seem to be worse this year. Of course we moved down here in June of last year so I wasn't here to see when they start arriving.

[momof3girls]

Originally Posted by mbclark1

I wasn't here to see when they start arriving.

They start coming out any time it is warm. If it is a warm day in the middle of winter, they will be out.

Get that Over & Out and that will take care of them, at least in your yard! They probably move to the neighbors yards.

[mayfly]

oh Verwon! That is terrible! I never knew ants could be so bad!

[verwon]

Yes, they are awful.

[Here2Earn]

I read an article just last week that said 20 Mule Team Borax would work in the house at doorways, window sills, under the edge of the kitchen cabinets and you could sprinkle it in your garden. I use to use grits in the hills. They tote the stuff to their nest, eat it and dehydrate and die from it. We also did the poison stuff for them too. Nasty little varments.

[ihvfaith]

Fire ants are terrible. I went to New Orleans I found out in quick order how nasty and painful they are.