Maine and red ants (Orono, Eastport: car, retired, trees)

[bgrasser]

In past years we rented a summer house up on Clark St in Eastport, the owners placed carpet tape accross the threshhold of the front and back doors to keep the little devils at bay, after a few days there would be hundreds traped in the tape, we would change the tape and start over. There were ants throughought the properties grounds, We got tired of the scene and stopped going to that area.

[mollysmiles]

Red ants have been in Eastport for as long as I can remember, and for most people they're a nuisance but not something to lose sleep over. Some people treat their property for the ants and some don't. The "problem" doesn't have to prevent children, adults or pets from being outside, but I'm willing to bet that someone would insist that the area is uninhabitable. No one has ever died from a red ant bite or multiple red ant bites that I'm aware of, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not going to sit on the ground on an ant's nest, but I'm certainly not going to avoid an entire region just because of them.

I hope that scientists are able to find a way to eliminate them, rather than just suppress them. Maineah, I was unable to find the article you referenced with the two mile colony, but I wouldn't doubt that it's possible. Maine's Cooperative Extension Office has some good information on what you can do to suppress them, help prevent their spread, and what you can avoid doing that makes your property appealing to them. For example, mulch is something to avoid. Frankly, though, they're smart little things, very resilient, and able to live underground for very long periods of time. Finding a solution is not easy.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

Red ants have been in Eastport for as long as I can remember, and for most people they're a nuisance but not something to lose sleep over. Some people treat their property for the ants and some don't. The "problem" doesn't have to prevent children, adults or pets from being outside, but I'm willing to bet that someone would insist that the area is uninhabitable. No one has ever died from a red ant bite or multiple red ant bites that I'm aware of, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not going to sit on the ground on an ant's nest, but I'm certainly not going to avoid an entire region just because of them.

I hope that scientists are able to find a way to eliminate them, rather than just suppress them. Maineah, I was unable to find the article you referenced with the two mile colony, but I wouldn't doubt that it's possible. Maine's Cooperative Extension Office has some good information on what you can do to suppress them, help prevent their spread, and what you can avoid doing that makes your property appealing to them. For example, mulch is something to avoid. Frankly, though, they're smart little things, very resilient, and able to live underground for very long periods of time. Finding a solution is not easy.

Here's the paragraph and the link.
While much remains unknown about the European fire ant, what seems clear is that the species is here to stay. In Eastport, where one colony stretches for more than 2 miles along the coast, the question of control is on everyone's mind. Thankfully, Groden is on the case. A specialist in insect disease and pest management, Groden traveled abroad with colleague Frank Drummond to the fire ants' home range in search of pathogens that could provide new methods of control.
The University of Maine - UMaine Today Magazine - March/April 2007 - Villains in Vacationland

[retiredtinbender]

I don't much care for it that I have to fight with them for my raspberries (like this morning) but I do hate having to carry my shotgun with me.

And how come AustinB has only posted here once? C'mon; fire ants?!?!?

[OutDoorNut]

Originally Posted by bustaduke

You need to use Amdro, it works great. It works but if your neighbors don't also treat they will come back after a while.

AMDRO - Home Amdro


busta

What if you have a dug or drilled well?

Might the insecticide find its way into your water supply?

[OutDoorNut]

Originally Posted by Maineah

Here's the paragraph and the link.
While much remains unknown about the European fire ant, what seems clear is that the species is here to stay. In Eastport, where one colony stretches for more than 2 miles along the coast, the question of control is on everyone's mind. Thankfully, Groden is on the case. A specialist in insect disease and pest management, Groden traveled abroad with colleague Frank Drummond to the fire ants' home range in search of pathogens that could provide new methods of control.
The University of Maine - UMaine Today Magazine - March/April 2007 - Villains in Vacationland

I still wonder if there might not be a good side to fire ants:

Might they keep lyme disease carrying deer ticks away?

[OutDoorNut]

Originally Posted by bgrasser

In past years we rented a summer house up on Clark St in Eastport, the owners placed carpet tape accross the threshhold of the front and back doors to keep the little devils at bay, after a few days there would be hundreds traped in the tape, we would change the tape and start over. There were ants throughought the properties grounds, We got tired of the scene and stopped going to that area.

The possibility of the ants coming into the house is that high?

What about through windows and vents?

[bgrasser]

I didn't see many far from the threshold.....maybe they liked the glue on the tape.

[mollysmiles]

tinbender he's in the lake I bet! (I'm refraining from saying something about leeches here...)

Ants... anyone remember that old movie from the 70s "It Happened At Lakewood Manor"? here's the trailer...
YouTube - Ants! aka "It Happened at Lakewood Manor" (1977)

I guess some would say that the potential is there...

[RiverBird]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

Red ants have been in Eastport for as long as I can remember, and for most people they're a nuisance but not something to lose sleep over. Some people treat their property for the ants and some don't. The "problem" doesn't have to prevent children, adults or pets from being outside, but I'm willing to bet that someone would insist that the area is uninhabitable. No one has ever died from a red ant bite or multiple red ant bites that I'm aware of, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not going to sit on the ground on an ant's nest, but I'm certainly not going to avoid an entire region just because of them.

I hope that scientists are able to find a way to eliminate them, rather than just suppress them. Maineah, I was unable to find the article you referenced with the two mile colony, but I wouldn't doubt that it's possible. Maine's Cooperative Extension Office has some good information on what you can do to suppress them, help prevent their spread, and what you can avoid doing that makes your property appealing to them. For example, mulch is something to avoid. Frankly, though, they're smart little things, very resilient, and able to live underground for very long periods of time. Finding a solution is not easy.

I'm all for trying natural remedies first, before toxic poisons, so harmful to our children, animals, and environment.

Here's a "Texas Two-Step" remedy:

Organic Fire Ant Control Methods

For more information on the Texas Two Step, check out the web site atTexas A&M University.