Gasoline probably will not kill the entire colony. Gasoline is highly repellent to the ants and is likely to cause them to relocate. However much of the time, it is dangerous to handle, it kills any plant material it touches, and at least some of the residue remains in the soil and may leach or run off into ground and surface water. Still more dangerous is the practice of treating a mound with gasoline, then setting it on fire. There have been instances where burning a fire ant mound has led to burning a house. See also FAQ #1107, "Do any of the home remedies for imported fire ants work?"

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