Cost of fire ants treatment? (Austin, Earth: buy, price, garden)

[phoenix_down]

Any idea what is a reasonable price to pay for fire ants treatment?

[RooCeleste]

Whatever the cost of the bag of granules is at HD or Lowe's.....it's not expensive at all. Unless you have many, many acres, I wouldn't pay for someone else to treat fireants.

[bananacakey]

I use Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade 10 Lb from Amazon.

My bug guy only comes out twice a year since I started using this.

Control of hard shell insects (fleas, ticks, ants, roaches, beetles, bed bugs, etc); Will not harm earthworms.
Elimination and prevention of worms and internal parasites without chemicals
Improved coat and hoof condition
Fewer flies due to preventing fly larvae from developing in manure
Safe for Human or Animal Consumption

Amazon.com: Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade 10 Lb: Patio, Lawn & Garden

[CptnRn]

Just get some Ambro and sprinkle it around any nests you see. Its easy to do and inexpensive. I'd never pay an exterminator to do some thing that easy for me.

[Austin97]

I have the same container of amdro (probably $7) that I have used for almost 10 years. I sprinkle it on a new mound - especially visible after rain. Step on the mound to get the ants swarming. The mound is dead within a day or two.

[sloppymeg]

I pay $90 quarterly for pest control with fireant treatment. And STILL have to get my own spot treatments. I could have them come back out, but I don't find their preventative treatment much better than the spot treaters. I should look at a different company, I suppose.

Here's the thing:
If your neighbors aren't treating, or if you back up to greenspace, you'll be spinning your wheels trying to keep them out.

For my anaphylactically allergic son, it's a battle we have to keep fighting.

Interestingly, there are studies that say some specific species of flies fight fire ant populations better than pesticides. Wish I could buy those in the store.

[gpurcell]

Study on the (in)effectiveness of Diatomaceous Earth:
https://insects.tamu.edu/fireant/res...arth_brown.pdf

I agree with Austin 97: poke the nest, dump the bait. I cover the whole mound. Never had one fail to be zapped.

[phoenix_down]

I'm highly allergic to those little bastards, so I don't think I want to stomp on the mound. I'll check out Ambro though. Thanks for the suggestions everyone

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Austin97

I have the same container of amdro (probably $7) that I have used for almost 10 years. I sprinkle it on a new mound - especially visible after rain. Step on the mound to get the ants swarming. The mound is dead within a day or two.

Originally Posted by phoenix_down

I'm highly allergic to those little bastards, so I don't think I want to stomp on the mound. I'll check out Ambro though. Thanks for the suggestions everyone

My container of Amdro only lasted FIVE years!!! Where do I complain?!?! Seriously, only treated visible mounds on our 1/3 ac lot and never had to retreat any single spot. I don't mind treating for bugs trying to get IN the house, but I wouldn't routinely treat the entire yard unless you have a giant problem or a garden party soon.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by Austin97

I have the same container of amdro (probably $7) that I have used for almost 10 years. I sprinkle it on a new mound - especially visible after rain. Step on the mound to get the ants swarming. The mound is dead within a day or two.

Amdro specifically says not to disturb the mound when using it. I think it is because Amdro is a bait - and the ants are more likely to pick it up when they are not frantically searching for a human foot to bite.