Does Burning Ants Work?

Whether you are trying to control fire ants, cockroaches or mosquitoes, there are several methods available. While none of these methods are guaranteed, most will give you good results.

One of the most popular home remedies involves using club soda. According to some reports, club soda suffocates and kills fire ants. However, this remedy has been disproven in numerous university trials.

A similar approach involves using wood ashes to remove the wax layer on ant bodies. While this approach may be effective, it does not reach the queen ants, who are located up to 25 feet from the mound.

Another approach involves using a citrus oil solution. The oil contains d-limonene, a natural component of citrus peels. D-limonene is an effective ant killer. It repels ants, but it also dissolves the ants’ skeletons.

One more approach involves broadcasting insecticide. This method is not as effective as applying baits, but it can help suppress reinfestations. The application rate varies depending on the formulation. Broadcasting insecticide will give 80% to 90% control, but it will take a few months to get the best results.

Using pesticides to kill fire ants is safe. However, make sure you read the product label’s instructions before using. Some of these products contain insect growth regulators, which may slow down the effectiveness of the bait for months.

If you do decide to use a pesticide to get rid of fire ants, make sure it is the right product for your situation. Some products contain sulfluramid, which may harm the native ant population.