Red Imported Fire Ants are a nuisance in gardens, lawns and pastures. Fire ants are native to Brazil and have been in North Carolina since the 1950’s. Eradication efforts were attempted shortly after they were identified but sadly they were not successful. They are now present throughout most of the Southeast and are going to be around for the foreseeable future.

To control fire ants in pastures requires the use of insecticidal baits. These baits use a small piece of food like a corn grit that is covered in an insecticide to control the hive. The goal with that small piece of food is that the worker ant feeds the queen this insecticide to then prevent the reproduction of more ants. Make sure you read the pesticide label before applying any pesticide to protect your cattle and others. Pesticides have different restrictions on when you or animals can return to the pasture. For this bait to work on the ant hive they have to be actively foraging for food. Worker ants become more active when the weather is sunny with temperatures above 65 degrees.

 If you have any questions please contact North Carolina Cooperative Extension- Lee County Center at 919-775-5624.