Fire Ant Treatment - Environmentally Friendly Tip from the Habitat Team

Fire Ant Treatment 

Following sound environmental practices, our SGUUF Habitat team does not use any chemical fertilizers or insecticides. Yet the invasive fire ants, as you all experience, are a constant problem. So years ago, we found the following recipe. Bonnie Lynn McKinnon volunteered to take on this job, especially to protect the children on Sundays, and adults too. We are all so grateful, as the ants can surprise us too. She’s been doing this so long I can’t remember. Many, many thanks to Bonnie Lynn for the gallons and gallons that she’s carried over here and used. Below, you’ll find her recipe and tips! 

Fire Ant Killer

1 1/2 oz. (or 3 Tbsp) Medina Orange Oil

3 oz. (or 6 Tbsp) Dawn Dish Soap

1 gal water

 I mix this up in a gallon jug. I recommend filling the jug with water first leaving enough room for the other ingredients. Top it off with water poured slowly from another container such as a measuring cup. This is only to avoid trying to pour water into a jug that already has soap in it only to have it filled with bubbles. It could also be mixed up and poured out from a bucket if you prefer.

Just before using, shake it up because the Orange Oil rises to the top and needs to be mixed back in.

I poke the ant hill first to get the 'army' to pour out and then really douse the hill trying to also splash at least a little bit on each of the ants that came out. I try to get it to really soak in and go way down hopefully to the nest. Pour some in, let it soak in, and then some more, and then some more. I generally use the entire gallon.

There have been a few occasions that when I've gone back and checked a few days or a week later, that the hill still has ants or has moved a little ways away. Just treat it again.

If questions or comments, email habitat@sangabrieluu.org

Happy gardening!