Henry Rifle Forums

Last time I was at my range I noticed a small pile of fresh dirt piled up right next to a wide opening under an old piece of plywood. After looking at it I thought it could be some critter had dug out a nesting place and mounted one of my trail cameras about 20 ft. away to catch what it could be.
So today was about 5 days since I had been there and checked the camera which showed 20 videos. All excited as I plugged the chip into my ipad to see what it could be.
As the videos appeared I see a crow or two waddle by.... a rabbit....a squirrel and even the butt end of a dog running by but nothing showing something going in or out of the hole and noticed the pile of dirt was a bit taller now. So before I left today I grabbed a shovel and raised up the plywood to take a peak waiting for something to run out.
Oh yeah something came out all right...like about a million medium sized ants busting out of the dirt mound that was covered by the plywood!!
Don't know if they were fire ants as they do make large dirt mounds and have heard they are coming up into Virginia. I hope not but will do another check on it and if so get them out of there as they are close by to my shack/cabin there.

Time for some Napalm.

Think it is fire ants and will call the county about to verify. I read that they are in these parts of Virginia and hope they don't make it to my home place 30 miles North! Here is a picture I found of a fire ant mound and it looks like that!

Yeahup, them's Fire ants.

RP

From my short time working for Orkin years ago, I recall that termiticides also work on ants. Best part it is a two for one treatment. Maybe give pest control a call, they have the good stuff.

I've found that Orthene works best for fire ants in our region. It's as bit stinky but gets rid of them fast.
Jake

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Sun May 21, 2023 10:53 pm

Think it is fire ants and will call the county about to verify. I read that they are in these parts of Virginia and hope they don't make it to my home place 30 miles North! Here is a picture I found of a fire ant mound and it looks like that!

Wondering what part of Virginia the Fire Ants were seen at?

So far so good around here in SW Virginia.

Cowboy Gun Fan wrote: ↑

Wed May 24, 2023 3:29 pm

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Sun May 21, 2023 10:53 pm

Think it is fire ants and will call the county about to verify. I read that they are in these parts of Virginia and hope they don't make it to my home place 30 miles North! Here is a picture I found of a fire ant mound and it looks like that!

Wondering what part of Virginia the Fire Ants were seen at?

So far so good around here in SW Virginia.

They got into the Tidewater area about 15-20 yrs. ago and now are moving towards the northwest. Sussex County....Dinwiddie...Prince George and into Chesterfield now. I was really surprised and had no thought of having a colony pop up in my property down in Dinwiddie Va. I am sure other neighbors around me down there have them also. Going to fix them Friday maybe. Picking up a sprayer setup for my small utility trailer that I can use with my lawn tractor or Kubota. Bifen Fire Ant is what I will use.

No where near me, but not sure how long our luck will hold out. Good luck with your remedy. Keep us posted on your progress.

Been dealing with them for 35 years in south central Florida. Can’t rid yourself of them once you got ‘em, but you can keep them somewhat at bay, Amdro has been the go to here. It is a poison bait the workers deliver to the queen. No more queen, no more mound, they move on. Only down side is that pets will sometimes eat it as well and that is bad news. Believe it or not when I’ve been out of Amdro I’ve used quick grits. Spread them around the mound after morning dew dries and the workers carry it to the queen. She eats it and as underground moisture is absorbed the grits expand and poof the queen is gone, or so the story goes. I’ve found Amdro very effective, grits somewhat so. We were aware we’d be dealing with problems such as this when we moved here from West Virginia in 1988, but I never expected them that far North. I would bet they keep spreading and adapting. Sorry to hear this.

TF1 wrote: ↑

Wed May 24, 2023 8:53 pm

Been dealing with them for 35 years in south central Florida. Can’t rid yourself of them once you got ‘em, but you can keep them somewhat at bay, Amdro has been the go to here. It is a poison bait the workers deliver to the queen. No more queen, no more mound, they move on. Only down side is that pets will sometimes eat it as well and that is bad news. Believe it or not when I’ve been out of Amdro I’ve used quick grits. Spread them around the mound after morning dew dries and the workers carry it to the queen. She eats it and as underground moisture is absorbed the grits expand and poof the queen is gone, or so the story goes. I’ve found Amdro very effective, grits somewhat so. We were aware we’d be dealing with problems such as this when we moved here from West Virginia in 1988, but I never expected them that far North. I would bet they keep spreading and adapting. Sorry to hear this.

The grits idea sounds pretty good, although not as effective. I like the nature-like idea of it.

I put down some of Andro a day ago so that is a good start.

A pump spray bottle with a water Dawn dish soap mix is my go to for all wasps ,lubbers ,and it seems to work on ant nests if you give them a good soaking. My secret ingredient is to add a little Pine Sol to the mix. None of the bugs like it. .I guess they don't like being clean.

Gas and a match…. Fight fire ants with fire!

Redthies wrote: ↑

Thu May 25, 2023 2:16 am

Gas and a match…. Fight fire ants with fire!

Diesel fuel.

RP

When I have a Ground Bees problem, I find that Gas, Diesel or Kerosene does the trick. No need to set it on fire, just a good dose then a shovel full of dirt to cover it. Night time is the best time.

fortyshooter wrote: ↑

Wed May 24, 2023 11:15 pm

I put down some of Andro a day ago so that is a good start.

we've used it for years and it will work .... once the queen is killed, the mound dies