The cooler fall weather is the perfect time to tackle fire ants, which are a growing problem in Orange County.
Red imported fire ants were once thought to reside only in the southern half of Orange County, but NC State Extension Associate Professor Michael Waldvogel says it’s likely the pests have spread north.
“We know that they are at least halfway through the county, but my guess is, you’d probably find them further north, particularly where we’ve had recent spurts of development going on, because very often we see the fire ants show up in areas where new landscaping has been put in place,” says Waldvolgel.
The red fire ant was first accidentally introduced to Mobile, Alabama in the 1930s. Since then, ant populations have been expanding throughout the South, arriving in North Carolina in the 1950s. By now, fire ants have been spotted in 56 counties.
While they do spread naturally, Waldvolgel says human activity is more likely to move the pests around the state.
“We unfortunately serve as a good taxi service for fire ants. We spread them in things like sod and nursery materials like potted plants or bales of wheat straw, for example.”
The ants are aggressive, swarming and stinging en masse when disturbed. The stings leave painful, itchy pustules and can trigger allergic reactions. Waldvogel says the ants can pose a health risk to humans and livestock.
There are currently no statewide programs to limit the spread of the red imported fire ant. Waldvogel says landowners should take steps to get rid of mounds in areas where people and pets might come into contact with the ants.
“Deal immediately with the mounds that pose a hazard to children, to pets, to adults and to livestock. Deal with those as quick as possible to get rid of them, then for the mounds on the periphery where there’s likely to be these close encounters, you can use these other alternative chemicals that might have less of an impact.”
He recommends applying chemical drenches or poison bait in the fall to destroy ant mounds before the insects retreat underground for the winter.
There are also non-chemical methods you can try, including digging up and dispersing mounds with a shovel, or soaking them in hot water. Waldvogel says either way, you’ll need to be careful.
“Realize that if you’re going to try to use boiling water, you’ve got to get it out there. Trying to carry a pot of two gallons of boiling water can get a little dicey.”
While last year’s harsh winter may have put a dent in this year’s crop of ant mounds, Waldvolgel says he fully expects the local population to bounce back.
“By nature they are a tropical insect; they started out in South America,” he notes. “But with insects, I’m going to give them the edge every time of figuring out how to adapt to different situations.”
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