Nature's Way to Kill Red Fire Ants

Red ants are also known as fire ants. They can cause a painful sting to humans and pets due to their venom. The ants do not have any natural predators in the United States, and they continue to grow and spread. Instead of using chemicals that are potentially hazardous to children and pets, you can remove the red ants naturally. Some organic methods work by interrupting the scent that ants use to follow their trails, while others kill ants instantly.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Washcloth
• Orange oil
• 1 gallon water
• Bucket
• Garden sprayer
• Cooking pot

Instructions

Vinegar Solution

1. Combine an equal amount of white vinegar and cool water in a clean spray bottle.

2. Spray the vinegar solution on all the surfaces where you have noticed red ants.

3. Wipe the surfaces with a damp washcloth. Apply the solution to these areas daily to remove any food scents.

4. Find the location where the red ants are coming into your home. Spray the area with the vinegar solution to remove the ant scent that they use to follow the trail.

Orange Oil

1. Combine 2 oz. of orange oil with a gallon of water in a bucket. You can purchase natural orange oil at many garden outlets.

2. Stir the solution to dilute the orange oil. Pour the solution into a garden sprayer.

3. Spray the solution directly onto the fire ant mound. The oil destroys ants' respiratory systems.

Boiling Water

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.

2. Pour the boiling water into the ant mound.

3. Pour more boiling water into the ant mound the next day to kill any ants that survived.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a large infestation of red ants, you may want to avoid using a natural method and call a local exterminator. Large infestations of red ants can be hazardous and hard to control naturally.

References

• The Dirt Doctor: Orange Oil: Natural Organic Home Garden Health
• Green Eco Services: Top 21 Ways to Get Rid of Ants Naturally
• The Huffington Post: Four Organic Ways to Kill Ants
• The Frugal Life: Getting Rid of Ants
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Some Natural Pesticide Alternatives
• Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project: A Review of "Organic" and Other Alternative Methods for Fire Ant Control

Resources

• Control Fire Ants: Basic Information About Fireants