The state of Texas has more than 210 species of ants. Most ant species are beneficial. They work the soil better than worms when making nests and they eat other harmful insects. With a little practice and a magnifying lens, you can identify which mounds need to be removed and which will help your yard.
The worst ants are the imported red fire ant or Solenopsis invicta Buren. One way to identify them is their mound. It is cone-shaped with a hard, rain-resistant outer crust. The damage they do in the environment is widespread, reducing wildlife and native plants.
There are two basic methods for dealing with getting rid of ants in a limited area: individual mound treatments and area broadcasts. Mound treatments typically include insecticides such as carbaryl, diazinon and dursban. The mound is soaked with the liquid or powder. One problem with this method is that the queen may be too deep in the mound to be affected. Some liquid insecticides are actually injectants, which are more effective but more dangerous if not handled properly.
There are fire ant baits available for mound treatments. They are less expensive and safer but much slower acting. They can be used as an area treatment as well being applied up to three feet away from mounds.
Broadcast treatments are baits that are made of inert pregelled corn carrier and soybean oil. An insecticide or growth regulator is added to the oil. Ant foragers find the bait and carry it back to the mound. Others will eat the bait and it will be spread throughout the mound to all. A big advantage of this method is that you do not have to know where all the mounds are. It is also less expensive and the work is easier. However, baits rely on temperature being right, no water getting on the bait and they are slow acting. Baits also tend to not be just fire ant specific.
Nonchemical methods of keeping ants out of a home can be a series of trial and error. Storing food in proper containers and keeping trash removed will reduce the chance of ants being attracted into the house. Keep kitchen surfaces clean, daily vacuuming of crumbs and rinsing containers before throwing away are all good things to do.
Caulking cracks in your bathroom and kitchen counters will prevent ants from getting inside. Another item to look into are sticky baits and barriers. If you notice an ant trail, clean the area with a mixture of vinegar and water. Some ant species can be kept out using ground cinnamon. This is worth a try if the area in question is the kitchen where food is kept and prepared.
If using an insecticide inside the home, be sure it says on the label for indoor use. If you would rather use organic methods because of children and pets, there are several methods. Use soapy water to eliminate trails inside the house. Whether some of the 'home remedies' work or not will be left to experimentation. Corn meal, baking powder, cayenne pepper and uncooked grits are some of the options to try. There are organic pesticides and diatomaceous earth at organic gardening centers.
