Help! I have never seen the number of fire ants as I have this year! They seem to be everywhere in my yard. I don't see any mounds but they are in my mulch paths, in my grass, everywhere! I have had my shoes and feet bitten more times that I can count.

Does anyone have an organic product they can recommend or a recipe that works really well?

Becky,
Sprinkle dry instant grits on the mounds. The ants will eat the grits and the grits swell in their stomachs and the ants belly explode. I have not had the need to try this method, but my neighbor swears by it and has used it for years.

to ATP, Scott. I would be of no help here. I won't tolerate fire ants (their bites are just murder!) and all I care about is being rid of them the quickest way possible.

I've heard (on podcasts) Howard Garrett address fire ants in TX. You might check out his website dirtdoctor.com. Mostly organic gardening website.

We use a product called Terro. It comes in pre-baited traps or a small container of liquid. It absolutely does work. At first you think you are just feeding the ants because they gather around and eat the substance, but that is what it is intended to do. They carry it back to the nest and the other ants ingest it. I believe it is basically borax and maybe something sweet to attract ants in a liquid medium. Just google it and see if you think it is for you.

Last year I had a fire ant problem and I fixed it with boiling water I poured it right on top of the ant mound. Although it proved to be hard to walk through the yard with a big stock pot full of boiling water I got great satisfaction out of watching those ants suffer

Wow - that's about as non-toxic as you can get. Hope it works for those afflicted with the nasty critters. And, the added bonus is they can continue to thrive outside your 'zone' as I assume they have some purpose in the life cycle. (I don't have them in my region, have only heard horror stories.)

Thanks for all the ideas. I have mounds everywhere. And it's not just my yard. They have thrived and multiplied like crazy this year in Florida. I've been hearing stories from all over.

I would have to douse my entire yard with boiling water at this point. They seem to be everywhere. I was wearing flip-flops and they swarmed my feet. I have about 20-30 bites/stings on both of my feet. Even using ammonia didn't work to relieve the bites.

So I didn't check out Howard Garrett. Not sure about the ingredients in his suggestion.

Never heard or seen Terro. Will have to look around the internet to see who sells it and perhaps try it.

I had heard about the grits idea, but read somewhere else that it does not work.

I have used Andros Fire Ant Bait and the ants ignore that stuff.

I was thinking of trying the borax acid and sugar mix. I've heard that it would work if you can get the ants to eat it.

These Fire Ants must be smart because they have multiplied like crazy in Florida. I have heard they are moving north. They can live underground and will build colonies that satellite to each other. So I hope they don't continue to spread their way to the northern states. Their bites can be fatal to some people who have severe allergies.

Becky, you can find Terro at a lot of places ... Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Home Depot --- places like that. I don't know if they have one specifically for fire ants. They do make one for outside use, but again, not sure if it would be effective against the ants you have. I found a granular product earlier this year and spread it over my entire yard. Granted, it's not organic, so that may not appeal to you. I don't recall the name right now, but if you're interested I can get it for you tomorrow. I stepped onto one of the mounds and had several bites and that was enough for me ... all bets were off then! Just recently I've seen a couple of mounds forming so it's time to re-apply. The first treatment probably lasted 5 or 6 months. Good luck ... I can't imagine dealing with the number of bites you've had. The ammonia worked best for me, but you've already tried that

Becky, I have not encountered fire ants here, but I have used diatomaceous earth for other ants. Just make sure to have a mask when you start applying it around it is in powder form. Do not use DE used for pool filters, there is food grade DE, that is the one you can use safely. Other users have posted online about using DE vs fire ants and they say it works.

Mary K - I will have to look at my local HD. Thanks for the heads up!

tarev - Yes, I have heard about DE too and that is another thing on my list to try! It is supposed to kill slugs too, right?

Becky, i really hate to say this, but if your fire ant problem is that bad (and it sure sounds like it!) I would not be worrying about using organic fixes -- I'd get whatever is recommended for getting rid of them the fastest and surest way! (of course, you could also just move to the Michigan UP and then you wouldn't have to worry about fire ants... )

I host birds in Winter, including the dwindling population of Eastern Painted Buntings. I have a bander that comes and bands all the birds in my yard twice a year. Those birds are on the ground and might eat any kind of bait. I always apply bait at night, so the ants have had a chance to gather it and take it to their nests. I have no desire to risk poisoning the wildlife for a short reprieve from the fire ants. I just need to find a good organic poison for the ants and then continue to apply several times a year to keep the fire ants in check. I really prefer organic treatment vs. chemical.

Large number - flamer thrower
Small number - propane torch

Yeah, I've seen the news reports of people actually doing something so stupid and burning down their home in the process! Nope, you won't see me on the national news doing that!

Would that be considered "organic", David?

I had some ants in my yard in a bush and I took a bunch of boric acid (? a white powder stuff, Borax maybe?) and then mixed some powdered sugar and water to make a liquid and then poured in all over the area, maybe a 6ft circle and I am unsure if they are totally gone now or not, (this was a couple mo ago) and they diminished though a lot.

Yes Becky, DE for ants, slugs, cockroaches..

I'm sorry but I do not know what "DE" stands for or where to find it. I want to use it on slugs next spring/summer.
Thanks you for your response in advance.

Jeanne, DE is diatomaceous earth. There is a food grade and a pool grade. From what I've read, you want to avoid the pool grade. there are some pesticides that have DE in it, but you can also purchase the food grade DE online ... Amazon having the best prices that I have seen.