Fire Ant Remedies Becoming Urban Myths

A quick Internet search using the words “fire ants” and “remedy” will generate thousands of hits. Some will take you to sound research-based information from colleges and universities. Others will take you to sites with far less reliable information.

An entomologist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System says that every year or two a new home remedy for the stinging pests pops up. Dr. Kathy Flanders says most of these are just a kind of urban myth.

“People don’t like fire ants,” says Flanders. “The appeal of a quick, easy fix based on something readily available that is not a pesticide gets people’s attention.”

The problem, she says, is that most of these do not work. Few home remedies succeed in eliminating fire ant colonies.

Many household products are said to control fire ants. The list includes chlorine bleach, ammonia, gasoline, various detergents, plaster of Paris and drain cleaners.

“These are not labeled for control of any type of pest, and some are dangerous to pets, children and wildlife,” she says. “Some may kill a few fire ants, but they generally only cause the ants to move to another location.”

The newest alleged ant cure involves pouring club soda into a mound. The theory is that this kills the ants with carbon dioxide.

Flanders says this one, like many, has a good thesis—it is environmentally sound and kills the colony with carbon dioxide.

“It is highly unlikely that the quantity of carbon dioxide in the club soda would be sufficient to replace the air in a colony that may extend 12 feet in the ground,” she says. “It might make the colony move since the fire ants do not like being disturbed.”

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Contact: Maggie Lawrence Communications Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System lawremc@auburn.edu 334.844.5687