Put a few potato chips, a piece of hotdog, potted meat, or a small pile of fire ant bait 5-10 feet from a fire ant mound. Wait 30-45 minutes and see if there are any fire ant workers around the food. If so, it is a good time to apply fire ant bait.
There are also some general rules to follow when you are planning to apply a fire ant bait:
1. Apply when no rain is predicted for at least four hours following the bait application.
2. Apply when temperatures are between 70-90 degrees F.
3. ALWAYS apply based on label directions.
See also: FAQ #824, "Which fire ant bait should I use" and FAQ #821, "What is the "Two-Step Method" for controlling fire ants?"
