If you put fire ant bait out too early in the season, you will kill all the workers allowing new queens to invade the area. In most states, fire ant mating flights become less common after the end of May, but may occur following a rain event anytime during the summer and early fall. If you apply fire ant bait in the winter or early spring, fire ant workers may not pick up the bait. Fire ants are cold-blooded animals, thus their movement is limited in cold weather. Additionally, the behavior of fire ants in the winter may change so that they are not attracted to the fire ant bait. Learn how quickly the particular fire ant bait works, and choose the appropriate bait for your needs. See also FAQ #824: "Which bait do I use?"

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