• 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

Much as it is for orchards, the impact of imported fire ants and the cost effectiveness of available treatments on field crops have not been determined. Fire ants can become a medical threat to field workers, and they can damage some seeds and seedlings of some crops, such as sorghum, corn, and soybean. Tall mounds can also interfere with soybean harvesting operations. However, predatory activities of fire ants can reduce populations of many other field crop pests.

Fire ant mounds and population levels can be reduced using a broadcast application of the insect growth regulator methoprene (Extinguish) fire ant bait registered for use in cropland, when applied with sufficient lead time for this product to perform (see Bait Basics below). Some agricultural products such as those containing chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) applied at planting will also provide some measure of protection from damage to seedlings.