Getting rid of ants!

[croft]

This isn't exactly gardening but more pest related. I was looking forward to spring and the gardening season and then I remembered all the red ant nests in my gardenbeds and near the rocks around the pond. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how I can get rid of them or at least cut back on their numbers? I believe some call them fire ants.

[Teresa]

The do it yourself pest control store sells something that will get rid of them - it forces them to move their hill.  But you have to treat your entire yard or they'll just move from one spot to the next.  It's ideal if you can get the neighbors to treat at the same time and then they'll leave the entire neighborhood . . . don't recall what it is, but DH used it and it worked.  It's not a pesticide or at least not as bad for the environment as some . . . at least that's what we were told.

[Joyce]

If you are in zone b, they aren't fire ants.
Fire ants are tropical/subtropical.

When Fire ants bite, feels like someone is holding a lit cigarette to your skin.
Feels like a hot coal, not something biting you.

Like Teresa said: Best way to get rid of them is to treat the entire yard.

[andrew davis]

Place a solution of 5% boric acid and 95% sugar/honey water, place it in a weather proof position close to where the ants can find it, the ants will swig up the mix, take it back to the nest and the feed they regurgitate will kill the pupae and the Queen that lays the eggs

Take care butterflies and moths, beneficial critters don't get at the bait

Regards, andy
http://www.members.aol.com/abdavisnc/swglist.html

[Craig]

There is a product named Award that works well here for fire ants ( labeled for ants as well).  It is an IGR, so takes a few weeks to work as the colony is depleted, but when they are gone...they are gone and not just relocated.  It sterilizes the queen(s).

[croft]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Teresa, I may have to check out the pest control stores. Joyce, they may not be fire ants but they are small and red and when they bite it really hurts quite a bit. It leaves a red welt that will become itchy and it lasts for quite a few weeks. Andrew I have tried the boric acid mixture and it seems to attract a few. Maybe I have to keep renewing the solution more often. I don't know if they are very attracted to sweet substances though... I've seen them attacking earthworms... maybe they are "meateaters" . Craig I'll see if "Award" or something similar is available here in Canada.

[emm]

Catnip will repel black ants.  Don't know that it would be very practical in your situation though.  My in-laws used to have a big infestation of ants in their tent trailer each spring when they opened it up.  Someone told them to pick catnip and put it inside the tent trailer when they put it away for the season.  They did that and no more ants until one year when they decided that the problem had been taken care of and didn't bother.  Next spring the tent trailer was full of ants.  emm

[Joyce]

Here is some more info:

http://www.thefrugallife.com/ants.html

http://www.thefrugallife.com/ants1.html

http://www.thefrugallife.com/fireants.html

[croft]

Emm, I've always wanted to plant some catnip . Thanks for the links, Joyce, lots of suggestions there for me to try!