A very limited number of ant species have potential to cause problems by stinging humans and animals. Hypersensitive individuals may experience allergic reactions and require immediate treatment. Bites can also become infected. Imported fire ants can infest electrical equipment including switch boxes, air conditioning, etc. and cause damage by chewing on electrical insulation.
Fire ants can also be beneficial, feeding on pests of crops and turf and landscape plants.
Table 8.59 Stinging ant species.
| Common and species name | Geographic distribution |
|---|---|
| black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri | West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, (eastern equine encephalitis) |
| red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta | Southeastern US and Southern California. |
Contents |
Monitoring and inspection for stinging ants
Regular visual inspection of school grounds (and adjacent areas) in infested areas can help to identify ant activity and determine need for remedial action. However, in regularly infested areas, routine, calendar-based broadcast bait application is often recommended as the most efficient way to reduce ant populations and stings, including reducing the overall amount of insecticide applied, vs. inspecting and treating mounds as they occur.
Cultural and physical options for stinging ant management
Maintaining thick, healthy turf can reduce the number of fire ant mounds present on school and neighboring property. Frequent mowing can also disturb ant colonies and cause them to move to adjacent undisturbed areas. Mechanical options are limited primarily to physical removal (e.g., excavation) of individual fire ant mounts which does not address encounters with foraging ants from colonies not located on school property. Hot water (109 to 212 F) has been used to eliminate colonies but has the obvious hazard of burning oneself in the process.
Biological control for imported fire ants has included releases of parasitic phorid flies which have become established and spread. Effective management of fire ants with biological control is unlikely in the near future and will likely require establishment of a suite of natural enemies for this imported pest.
Pesticide options for stinging ants
Treatment of individual mounds with insecticides can limit exposure hazard, particularly if these mounds are made inaccessible during and after treatment. Insecticide baits or dust formulations can be applied to the base of the mound and up to three to four feet away as per label directions. Drenches (liquid insecticide formulations) may also be used to treat individual mounds. It can be difficult to locate all mounds in an area such as a school play yard. Foraging ants and new mounds may appear frequently from colonies in adjacent areas. Aerosols or liquid formulations may also be applied directly to mounds.
Broadcast applications of insecticide baits are often used twice or three times per year to reduce mound formation.
Table 8.60 Commonly used pesticide products for stinging ants and uses.
a. Insecticides carrying a CAUTION label or exempt from EPA registration, in formulations that reduce potential for exposure.
| Active ingredient | Example Products | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| indoxacarb | Advion® Fire Ant Bait 352-627 | Apply 3-4‘ around fire ant mounds when ants are actively foraging and rain is not expected for at least 6 hours. Foraging ants from untreated mounds outside of school property may continue to be a problem. Post and prohibit activity near treated mounds while granules are present. |
| pyriproxifenEsteem® | Ant Bait 59639-114 | Same as above |
b. CAUTION-label formulations with greater potential for exposure.
| Active ingredient | Example Products | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| indoxacarb | Advion® Fire Ant Bait 352-627 | Broadcast applied bait. To increase efficacy and reduce potential for exposure, apply only when ants are actively foraging and when rain is not expected for at least 6 hours. Post and prohibit reentry while granules are present. |
| pyriproxifen | Esteem® Ant Bait 59639-114 | Same as above |
c. CAUTION-label formulations with greater potential for toxicity and/or exposure.
| Active ingredient | Example Products | Uses |
|---|---|---|
| fenoxycarb | Award® Fire Ant Bait 100-722 | Broadcast applied bait. To increase efficacy and reduce potential for exposure, apply only when ants are actively foraging. Post and prohibit reentry while granules are present. |
| fipronil | Ceasefire® Fire Ant Bait 432-1219 | Same as above |
| hydramethylnon | Amdro® Fire Ant Bait 73342-1 Extinguish® Plus Maxforce Fire Ant Killer Granular Bait 432-1265 | Same as above |
| fipronil | Top Choice™ 432-1420 | |
| bifenthrin | Bifenthrin Pro 51036-392 | Broadcast applied insecticide. |
| cyfluthrin | CyKick CS 499-304 | Spray-applied liquid. |
Additional resources for stinging ant management
Oi, D.H., and P.G. Koehler. 2003. Imported Fire Ants on Lawns and Turf. University of Florida. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh059
Texas A&M University. Texas Fire Ant Research and Management Project. fireant.tamu.edu/
