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Banner Ants

Ant Control

Ant control starts with understanding what you’re dealing with. Different ant species behave differently, which means effective ant pest control begins with proper identification. Choosing the right pest control for ants, including the right ant control spray or bait, helps you stop infestations more effectively.

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6 products found
  • 100518540-extinguishplus-1-5lb-hero-carousel

    Extinguish® Plus

    A combination IGR and adulticide that controls fire ants in pastures and around farms by killing worker ants and sterilizing the queen.

  • 100208957-lambda-97cs-1qt

    Lambda 9.7 CS

    High quality adulticide for insect control in livestock areas and other farm structures. Great for perimeter treatments as part of an IPM protocol.

  • 100209004-cattle-armor-55-gal-1000x1000-salsify

    Cattle Armor™ 1% Synergized Pour On

    An on cattle pour-on to control flies and lice on cows. It can be applied as a spray mist or back rubber on pasture, in the feed lot.

  • 100208915-pyronyl-crop-spray-1gal

    Pyronyl™ Crop Spray

    A broad-spectrum insectide for use in dairies and feedlots as well as in poultry and swine operation for reliable control as part of an IPM program.

  • 100209011-e-pro-1-25gal-3000x3000

    Starbar® E-Pro Adulticide Spray

    A highly reliable insecticidal spray that controls flies and other bitting insects such mites lice and ticks on cattle swine poultry and horses.

  • 100552304-ezoutdoorfogger-1pack-hero-image

    Starbar® EZ™ Outdoor Fogger

    Starbar® EZ™ Outdoor Fogger kills mosquitoes, ticks, wasps, and 15+ pests. Sprays up to 15 feet and treats up to 8,750 sq ft — perfect for backyards, patios, and picnic areas.

Identifying Fire Ants

Size and color

Varied sizes: Fire ants vary in size from species to species and depend on their job in the colony. Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) tend to be dark red to brown with black abdomens and measure between1/8 to 1/4 inch. Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) or Electric Ants are light golden brown and very small, about 1/16 of an inch.

Habitat

Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) are native to South America but are widely established as an invasive species throughout the southern United States and parts of California. The build large mounds (measuring up to 24" in diameter and about 7" high) in sunny open areas such as pastures. Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) prefer moist and shaded areas such as trees leaf litter and under debris and do not build mounds. They are know to “rain down” from trees when disturbed.

Where You See Them

Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) prefer warm open spaces such as lawns and pastures to build their mounds, while Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) infest moist, shaded areas such as under leaf litter and under debris in agricultural fields.

Feeding Habits

All fire ants are omnivorous, preferring greasy and sweet materials from vegetable sources such as grains, seeds and decaying vegetation or animal sources, including other insects and larva, small birds and rodents.

Behavior Patterns

Fire ants are territorial and will swarm rapidly if their habitat is disturbed. They are also aggressive stingers. Red Fire Ants are extremely aggressive and will sting an intruder rapidly and repeatedly injecting venom. Their stings are extremely painful and sometime fatal. Despite their small size, little fire ant stings are incredibly painful, leaving long lasting welts and can cause blindness in pets and livestock.
  • Fire Ant Behavior
    • Fire Ants are highly social insects, often living and foraging for food in colonies.
    • Worker ants often forage for food at night, between sunset and midnight.
    • Fire ants typically forage when air temperatures are between 70-to-90 degrees, making early evening and night the most popular times of day for activity.
  • Fire Ant Infestation Sites
    • Some fire ants build their nests in open areas such as lawn and pastures, and next to or under timber, logs, rocks or bricks. While others prefer moist, sheltered spaces such as in trees and in leaf litter.
    • Fire Ants can be found inside and may infest beds, furniture and food.
  • Signs of Fire Ant Infestations
    • Visible ant trails: lines of ants traveling consistently between food sources and entry points, often along walls, baseboards, or countertops.
    • Large mounds in open, sunny areas like lawns, pastures, athletic fields or swarms of ants in trees, potted plants, leaf litter and under debris and disturbed habitats, such as forest edges or agricultural fields
  • The Dangers of Ants
    • These ants deliver a painful sting when disturbed; Fire ants are very active and aggressive repeatedly stinging and injecting venom that is usually painful causing welts and pustules.
    • Invasive Red Fire Ant stings are immediately painful and usually turn into painful itching after a few minutes. However, these stings are sometimes fatal.
    • Little Fire Ant stings are incredibly painful with a sharp, electric sting that can last for hours. These stings leave long-lasting welts and can cause blindness in pets and livestock.
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