• Introduction
• The Problem
• Developing a Management Plan
• Bait Basics
• Individual Mound Treatments
• More Information
• Disclaimer
• Contributors
• Print this Lesson

Imported fire ants are now a major pest problem throughout the southeastern United States, including in cattle production operations.

Imported fire ants build unsightly mounds that interfere with farm operations.

No methods have been developed to successfully eradicate fire ants, but research may ultimately provide a method to eliminate this pest. Biological control can potentially suppress fire ant populations but will never achieve absolute control. The appropriate fire ant control methods should be determined by the problem that the fire ants cause in a particular area.

Imported fire ant stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions and even death of livestock and humans.

This publication provides information to help ranch managers develop integrated pest management (IPM) plans to address imported fire ant problems in cattle operations. The goal of integrated pest management is to control a pest only when the potential cost of the problem meets or exceeds the cost of the solution. This publication also provides tips to help reduce the cost of fire ant treatments.