I need some information about fire ants...particularly from you folks in Texas who deal with them on a regularl basis.

My granddaughter has moved to a house out in the country and she and her 3 year old daughter are getting bitten regularly by fire ants.

Is there some way to eliminate the nests that is not toxic to humans? Also, what is the best way to treat the bites?

I remember reading something about this in past years in the forum I have since abandon, but since I didn't need the information at the time, I didn't put it into long-term memory. Now when I need it, it isn't there.

Mari

Hi Mari, I use grits. Sprinkle the mound with grits right out of the box, it might take awhile, but they usually are gone pretty quick. Normally, they are gone in one day, but sometimes I have to sprinkle the nest the next day. I dont know why it works, just that it does. I have also used boiling water, ammonia water, we have tried pouring used grease on them. Motor oil works well, but its not good for the land. I dont think there is any way to get rid of them permanently... Wonder how an anteater would do with them.. That might be our only recourse soon....
As for treating bites, I have heard so many different opinions, its really hard to tell. I do know, that leaving them alone and not scratching is really hard to do... but continueous scratching can cause infintigo(sp) We usually try to leave them alone until they come to the pus filled head, and then pop it.... seems to heal fastest that way.... vinegar water sometimes takes the itch out.... and if nothing else, try the old standby, oatmeal bath...

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Mari,

Here are some of the ways to get rid of red ants from my book called Grandmother's Cridder Ridder:

Prepare 2-3 gallons of very hot water and pour down the mound around 2pm on a warm day, the queen is more active this time of day. Usually takes three treatments.

Says grits cause their stomach to expand and blow up!!!

3 1/2 ounces jam, 1 1/2 tablespoon canned cat food, 1 tbls boric acid
make concoction in a small bowl. Place around nest and the worker ants will take it to the queen and within a few hours die from hearburn! Make sure pets and kids don't eat this, will make them sick!

1/4 cup liquid hand soap and l gallon water mixed in a bucket. Pour 1-2 cups on the anthill and repeat after one hour.

DE (diatomaceous earth), powdered charcoal, powdered pyrethrum-silica dust or bone meal placed anywhere you don't want them. If you put it around the anthill, when they cross the DE they will die. I have also used DE sprinkled around my house to kill fleas. It works and is not harmfu to people. It cuts them up into little pieces.

Meat tenderizer that contains papain and bromelain, or you might have an enzyme supplement that contains these, break down protein which most insect bites and stings are protein based. Make a paste of water and powder apply directly to the bite or sting. Relief will come in about one minute! Bromelain can be irritating to some people. If skin turns red, do not apply more than once.

Chop one cup of fresh cilantro leaves and mix with 1/3 cup of water in a blender. Strain through cheese cloth. Apply pulp directly to insect bite two to three times a day. Keep refrigerated. Will last about 4 days.

Apply neem powder, mixed with just enough water to make a plaster, to bite and let dry for 10 to 20 minutes. Neem oil works well as an insect repellent, too! I have personally used it mixed with tea tree oil and it keeps mosquitoes away!

Sally B.

Thanks everyone for the info on fireants.

Now for the next question. My granddaughter...born and raised in Minnesota and not accustomed to the Texas critters...stepped into the shower the other day and saw something move. When she put on her glasses, she saw that she was sharing the shower with a scorpion. How do you take care of them?

Mari