How do I safely remove fire ants from my vegetable garden?

[AllenK RGV]

I wanted to use Amdro but see it isn't approved for this purpose. These ants are not making mounds and I suspect are living in my compost layer. Naturally my chicken will not eat any of the 20 different varieties of ants I have on the property. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/nature/kill-ants-with-grits-zm0z15amzkin
You could try grits. I'm not sure what fire ants eat though.

 

[slordaz]

Those buggers are hard to kill safely around animals. or anything your going to eat. My friend said to try spreading cornmeal around that's what worked for her as they will eat it but can't digest it, I tend to plant a lot of mint around the perimeter to keep more bugs out, it also attracts predatory bugs that keep the bad bugs away.

 

[Hcchic]

https://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/nature/kill-ants-with-grits-zm0z15amzkin
You could try grits. I'm not sure

Are grits safe for chickens, if they eat it?

 

[EggWalrus]

Other than Amdro I haven't found anything that kills fire ants.

Maybe try pouring gas on the mounds, light it on fire, and when they run out you can stab them with an ice pick?

 

[Xerocles]

I wanted to use Amdro but see it isn't approved for this purpose. These ants are not making mounds and I suspect are living in my compost layer. Naturally my chicken will not eat any of the 20 different varieties of ants I have on the property. Does anyone have any ideas?

Get rid of ants (& ticks & fleas & wasps & any other buggy pests AND indulge in some chicken math at the same time. Get a few GUINEAS!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Get rid of ants (& ticks & fleas & wasps & any other buggy pests AND indulge in some chicken math at the same time. Get a few GUINEAS!

OMG I would love Guinneas if only they could be silent. Sure we live on 1+ acre lots the neighbors couldn't be too upset right?

 

[Xerocles]

OMG I would love Guinneas if only they could be silent.

OH! You meant a QUIET way to get rid of ants! Then I would go with EggWalrus idea of gasoline and an icepick. Besides, guineas aren't noisy. (Dang...where ARE the batteries for my hearing aid?)

 

[AllenK RGV]

Trust me there are a few guinneas I really want to have but youtube destroyed my wife's willingness to participate. I would really love Vulturine Guinneas but the vocalize as well. We have some neighbors who own guineas about 1/4 mile away and we even notice.

 

[Xerocles]

Trust me there are a few guinneas I really want to have but youtube destroyed my wife's willingness to participate. I would really love Vulturine Guinneas but the vocalize as well. We have some neighbors who own guineas about 1/4 mile away and we even notice.

Problem solved! Guineas LOVE to wander. Grab some treats, take about a 1/4 mile walk. Each day, don't walk quite so far. Soon, the guineas will be feasting on your ants, and if anybody complains about the noise, well hey, they're the NEIGHBORS guineas. What can you do?