• Introduction
• Management Options
• Organizing a Community-Wide Suppression Program
• Treatment Methods
• Biology and Identification
• Medical Problems
• History of Control Efforts
• Fire Ant Insecticides
• Policy Statement
• Acknowledgments
• Print this Lesson

Baits

Hydramethylnon and sulfluramid or n-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide — These ingredients kill ants by preventing them from converting food into energy. These baits eliminate fire ant colonies within a week when applied to individual mounds, but take several weeks when broadcast. They are also formulated in bait granules and stations. Note that sulfluramid registrations were cancelled in 2005 (see http://www.fluoridealert.org/pesticides/sulfluramid-page.htm) and existing stock can be sold until the end of 2006. All products containing sulfluramid are under a specific timeline to be phased out.

(Amdro®, AmdroPro®, Combat®, MaxForce®, Probait®, Raid® Ant Baits Plus and others)

Avermectins (abamectin) — This bait product is derived from a soil fungus and inhibits nerve transmission. As a mound treatment it kills worker ants and colonies quickly, but as a broadcast treatment it acts more like an insect growth regulator, preventing the production of viable eggs. Formulations include bait granules and stations.

(Ascend™, Clinch™, Varsity™)

Oxadiazine (indoxacarb) — This class of insecticides has a unique mode of action. Indoxacarb undergoes bio-conversion in the insect to a more toxic form. When ingested it irreversibly blocks sodium channels in nerve cells, resulting in paralysis and death. The compound is quick-acting and controls ants in 3 to 7 days even when broadcast.

(Advion®, Spectracide® Once and Done®, Real-Kill® Ant Bait, GardenTech Over 'n Out Fire Ant Killer Mound Treatment)

Spinosyns (spinosad) — This natural metabolite complex is produced by a soil microorganism (Saccharopolyspora spinosa) and affects the nervous system. Bait formulations act at the same speed as hydramethylnon and sulfluramid baits. This product is certified by the Organic Materials Research Institute.

(Greenlight® Fire Ant Control with Conserve®, Safer® Fire Ant Bait, Ortho® Fire Ant Killer Bait Granules, Fertilome® Come and Get It)

Phenyl pyrazole (fipronil) — As a nervous system toxicant, it blocks the passage of chlorine ions by interacting with gamma-aminobuteric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels on nerve cell membranes. A bait formulation is available for broadcast or individual mound treatment. Broadcast application provides maximum control 6 to 12 weeks after treatment. Formulations include bait granules and stations.

(Ceasefire® Fire Ant Bait)

Insect growth regulators (fenoxycarb, methoprene, pyriproxyfen or 2-[1-methyl-2(4-phenoxyphenoxy) ethoxyl] pyridine) — These materials mimic the effects of the insect’s own juvenile hormone, reducing the production of viable eggs and preventing the development of worker ants for up to a year after application. They do not kill adult ants, but render winged female reproductives sterile. Treated ant colonies persist for several months after treatment, until worker ants present at the time of treatment die naturally. Ants do not die faster when more product is applied than directed. These products are formulated as baits to be applied to individual mounds or broadcast.

(Award™, Logic®, Extinguish®, Distance®, Spectracide® Fire Ant Bait)

Product mixtures: Hydramethylnon plus methoprene — The “hopper blend,” directions for which are on the AmdroPro® and Extinguish® labels, is both fast acting like hydramethylnon and long lasting like methoprene. It is available as pre-blended products, Extinguish® Plus and Amdro FireStrike Fire Ant Bait.

Contact Insecticides

Botanicals (d-limonene, pyrethrins, rotenone, pine oil, turpentine) — These plant-derived products have various modes of action. D-limonene is a citrus oil extract that kills ants quickly by disrupting cells. Pyrethrins, which act on the nerve axon, also kill ants quickly (within minutes to hours) and can be used as mound treatments or surface sprays. Products containing pyrethrins are often formulated with diatomaceous earth (silica dioxide) and a synthetic synergist (piperonyl butoxide, PBO). Rotenone acts on respiratory tissues, nerves and muscles. Pyrethrins and rotenone products break down rapidly in the environment. Rotenone, cedar oil and pine oil (turpentine) products are relatively slow-acting (days to weeks) and are applied as mound drenches.

(Safer® Fire Ant Killer, Insecto® Formula 7, Organic Solutions™ Multipurpose Fireant Killer, Organic Plus® Fire Ant Killer, and others)

Derivatives of pyrethrins (allethrin, resmethrin, sumithrin, tetramethrin) — Like pyrethrins, these products destabilize nerve cell membranes and kill quickly, but are quickly deactivated and have little residual activity. They are contact insecticides applied as aerosol injections, mound drenches or surface sprays.

(Enforcer® Fire Ant Killer)

Pyrethroids (bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, fluvalinate, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, s-bioallethrin, es-fenvalerate, tefluthrin, tralomethrin) — These products also destabilize nerve cell membranes. They can persist in the environment longer than pyrethrins and their derivatives. They kill ants relatively quickly and are applied as mound drenches, dusts, surface sprays or granules.

(Bayer® Advanced Lawn® Fire Ant Killer; Eliminator® Ant, Flea and Tick Killer or Fire Ant Killer Granules; Enforcer® Fire Ant Killer Granules; Maxide Ready-to-Use Fire Ant Killer II Granules; Spectracide® products including Fire Ant Killer; Bug Stop Insect Control Granules; Triazicide Soil and Turf Insect Killer Granules or Concentrate; Fire Ant Mound and Broadcast Granules; Talstar® or Ortho® Fire Ant Killer Granules; Bug B Gon Multipurpose Insect Killer and Dust; Terro® Ant Dust and Outdoor Ant Killer; and others)

Carbamates (carbaryl) — These materials disrupt nerve transmission (cholinesterase inhibitor). They are relatively quick-killing contact insecticides used as mound drenches, soil treatments and surface sprays.

(Sevin®)

Organophosphates (acephate) — These products also interfere with nerve cell transmission (cholinesterase inhibitor). They are relatively quick-killing and are formulated as aerosols, liquids, dusts or granules. They can be applied as mound treatments or surface treatment.

(Orthene® and others)

Note: Diazinon and Dursban® (chlorpyrifos) products have been phased out for many uses, particularly homeowner uses, and are no longer being sold. Dursban® (chlorpyrifos) is still available for imported fire ant quarantine uses. Use any remaining stored product as directed on the label for homeowner uses, or contact local or state hazardous waste disposal programs for disposal instructions.

Spinosyns (spinosad) — This natural metabolite complex affects the nervous system. As a mound drench, it eliminates ants quickly.

(Greenlight® Spinosad Lawn and Garden Spray)

Phenyl pyrazole (fipronil) — As a nervous system toxicant, fipronil blocks the passage of chlorine ions by interacting with gamma-aminobuteric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels on nerve cell membranes. Granular formulations are broadcast on turfgrass areas and control ants about 4 to 8 weeks after application. Control continues for up to a year.

(Topchoice® Insecticide, GardenTech Over ‘n Out® Fire Ant Killer Granules, Termidor SC Termiticide/Insecticide)

Inorganic compounds — Boric acid is a slow-acting stomach poison. It is commonly formulated as a dust or liquid bait for control of ants. Diatomaceous earth (D.E.) or silicone dioxide products are usually applied to ant trails indoors. D.E. can abrade the waxy layer from the insect exoskeleton, causing the insect to desiccate. However, D.E. does not eliminate colonies within treated mounds. When D.E. is used as a carrier in formulations of pyrethrins, it may enhance the penetration of this botanical insecticide into the body of an insect.

For more information, see "The Latest Broadcast on Fire Ant Control Products" at http://fireant.tamu.edu or “2007 Fire Ant Control Materials for Alabama Homeowners, ANR-175-A” at http://www.aces.edu/dept/fireants.