When using contact insecticides as individual mound treatments, do not disturb fire ant mounds before application, because disturbing a fire ant mound may cause the colony to relocate. Thus, you may not be able to kill many ants before they evacuate into subterranean tunnels.
However, recent research has shown that if you are applying a fire ant bait, the mound may be disturbed without reducing the effectiveness of the baits. Ants from disturbed mounds still pick up bait effectively and distribute it throughout the colony, resulting in good control.
Disturbing a mound may expose you to the wrath of the fire ant colony. Always use caution when you are around a fire ant colony to avoid being stung.
Related Content
- Fire Ant Habitat and Food Sources
- Living It Up in a Fire Ant Nest: Tunnels
- Fire Ant Control
- Fire Ant Stings
Find more information about fire ants in eXtension's Imported Fire Ant Resource Area.
