Learning to Find Natural Remedies for Pet Protection During Ant Control of Fire Ants

Apr 1
15:14

2013

Ma. Theresa Galan

Ma. Theresa Galan

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Often, a home remedy does not kill the entire colony. To completely eliminate a colony, it is necessary to kill the egg-laying queen(s). Many fire ant home remedies have been proposed and used. However, many fire ant products on the market are as safe as or safer than the home remedies.

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Killing fire ants isn't easy because it's important to kill the queen. The queen is most active on a hot day between noon and 2:00 PM. So it's important to plan your course of action during these hours. Fire ants are extremely intelligent and therefore they know how important their queen is,Learning to Find Natural Remedies for Pet Protection During Ant Control of Fire Ants Articles they make sure they have more than one queen. Their main goal is to keep producing queens. That's how they keep spreading and moving across the country.

There are many natural ways to control fire ants. The main point is, you have to find a way to control them or they will eventually attack either you or someone in your family or your pet. These are mean little buggers and you don't want to ignore them once you notice they have started a colony close to you home.

One of the most commonly suggested home remedies, instant grits, has been scientifically proven to have no effect. Baking soda, vinegar, club soda, molasses, plaster of Paris, and aspartame are also NOT effective home remedies.

Home remedies are often desired because they are perceived as being safe, but this is not always true. Gasoline or diesel oil, chlorine bleach, ammonia, drain cleaners, and acids are dangerous to pets, children, and livestock, and the runoff from these products can contaminate water. Furthermore, it is illegal to use these substances for pest control

One old home remedy, pouring hot water on the mound, is about 60 percent effective, but it is dangerous to the applicator and will kill the surrounding vegetation. Additionally, about three gallons of water must be used in an attempt to reach the reproductive areas of the mound. Soapy water is also about 60 to 70 percent effective. Hot or soapy water may kill only a portion of the colony or cause it to move. Colony relocation is also likely to occur when someone tries to dig a colony out of an area. This practice must be done carefully to avoid being stung.

One method currently being evaluated and showing some promise as an effective home ant control remedy is an ant mound drench using a mixture of dishwashing liquid and citrus oil.

Peanut Butter or Apple Jelly & Boric Acid

CAUTION: KEEP CHILDREN & PETS AWAY FROM THIS RECIPE!

Just use one teaspoon of boric acid and 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or apple jelly. Drop tiny amounts around the mound and wherever you see them. They'll bring this treat back to the nest for the queen to enjoy.

Go to main page Ant Control Auckland for more tips and details of assistance