• Introduction
• The Problem
• Developing a Management Plan

• Farmstead or Headquarters
• Hay Pastures
• Livestock Pastures or Rangelands
• Farm Ponds
• Orchards
• Field Crops

• Bait Basics
• Individual Mound Treatments
• More Information
• Disclaimer
• Contributors
• Print this Lesson

Assess Economic Value

The first step in developing a fire ant management plan for your cattle operation is to decide where you want to control fire ants. Insert economic values in the outline below to estimate the cost of losses in your cattle operation.

Prioritize Control Areas

Create a rough map of your cattle operation or use an aerial photograph. Your operation will include a number of use sites besides pasture and rangeland. On the map, mark the areas where fire ant control is most important to you. A typical map might include the following priorities: the areas around the farmhouse that receive heavy foot traffic or where children play; the area around electrical circuit boxes; the area where frequently used farm equipment is parked outside; and any areas where cattle will be closely confined, particularly in the summer. These areas may include the most valuable hayfields, areas where hay is to be stored, and summer calving pastures.

Cattle operation use sites: (1) farmstead or headquarters; (2) hay pasture; (3) livestock pasture or rangeland; (4) farm pond; (5) orchard; (6) field crops.

Identify Mounds

The next step is to identify where the fire ant mounds are within what you have designated as important areas. Note the greatest concentrations of fire ant mounds. Classify the marked areas according to how quickly you need fire ant control. For instance, if fire ants are all over your picnic area and your family reunion is in two days, you would want to use a fast-acting individual mound treatment or a fast-acting bait (see below). If your family reunion is in two weeks, you could use a fire ant bait containing a slow-acting insecticide. If your family reunion is in two months, a bait containing an insect growth regulator would be appropriate.

The next sections review management options for each of the six use sites.