Two things are inevitable this time of year in Louisiana, taxes and pesky fire ants. April 15 is an important deadline for Federal taxes, and it is also the beginning of fire ant season. It is a good idea to begin planning now for a mid-April community-wide assault on your neighborhood fire ant populations. Researchers at the LSU AgCenter have found that when people join together in their fight against fire ants that they are more successful, and it is more cost effective for everyone. For example, in one study, they found that residents spent ten times less money on ant bait, put three times less chemical in the environment, and achieved six months of fire ant suppression when they conducted a neighborhood fire ant suppression program. This means they only have to treat twice a year.
Many communities conducted a successful program last year, and some residents may be looking around and not see very many ant mounds. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that your community does not need to conduct a neighborhood fire ant abatement program. Think of it as maintenance for your community to keep the ants suppressed. This spring, when you are able to garden without fire ants and the kids are able to play in the yard without getting stung, you will realize it was worth the effort.
So gather your neighbors together, organize your suppression program, and buy fire ant bait in bulk. Several resources for bait products are listed on LSU AgCenter’s website www.lsuagcenter.com at:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/environment/insects/ants/fire_ants/
communitywide_fireant_management/fire_ant_product_information/
Fire+Ant+Bait+Distributors.htm.
Decide on a date for community-wide suppression and try to distribute all the bait on that day or within a few days. Bait works well when fresh and when it is broadcast at the correct rate throughout the entire neighborhood on the same day. A table with the correct rates for most fire ant bait can also be found at:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/environment/insects/ants/fire_ants/
Bait+Amounts+for+RIFA++Table.htm.
More bait is not better! Follow the directions carefully; too much bait applied will not work better and will waste money. More detailed information on community-wide ant suppression can be found at:
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/environment/insects/ants/fire_ants/
CommunityBased+Management+Using+Baits.htm