Farewell to Fire Ants

Fire ants usually make their mounds in the open, but occasionally will nest under ground litter as well as under homes. (Photo courtesy of ArtToday.)

Q: Can you tell me what can be done about fire ants? My sister has been bitten on two occasions inside her apartment.

A: If they truly are fire ants, there are several baits that will work for them, including Amdro, Seige and Maxforce Killer Fire Ant Bait.

It is important to find the nest so you can apply the bait properly. Fire ants usually make their mounds in the open but occasionally will nest under ground litter and even homes. I suggest you get the ants positively identified before you buy any of the products I mentioned. Other ants can bite or sting and they may not take the baits I've suggested for fire ants.

(Send questions for Richard Fagerlund to University of New Mexico Environmental Services, Physical Plant Department, 1818 Camino del Servicio N.E., Albuquerque, NM. 87131-3500 or e-mail fagerlun@unm.edu.)