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Imported Fire Ants Home

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What is your recommendation for killing imported fire ants under a pier-and-beam house? We regularly treat the fire ants, but we have them in the house as well as in the yard. There is also a crack in the siding on the porch that I have treated many times, but the ants are continually coming in and out of the wall. I know that 100% kill is not realistic, but I have no idea how to go about treating under the house.

Last Updated: December 18, 2009

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Several bait-formulated insecticide products are available to treat fire ants without exposing pets or people. Broadcast-applying the bait around the structure and in the crawl space allows foraging worker ants to collect and take the bait back to the colony. Baits reduce overall ant population levels around and under the house, thereby reducing the likelihood of ants entering the home. Fire ant baits containing the active ingredients fipronil, hydramethylnon, indoxacarb, or spinosad are fairly fast-acting. You can also use baits containing abamectin, fenoxycarb, methoprene, or pyriproxyfen but these baits are slower-acting. In addition to the bait, applying a contact insecticide as a barrier around home-entry points can reduce the number of ants coming into the house. For more information see these related links: Broadcast Bait Products for Fire Ant Control FAQ #824 Which Bait Do I Use Fire Ant Management Options for Homes and Buildings

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