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

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Yes, unripe tomatoes and potatoes and their plants are toxic to chickens. @AllenK RGV , a sure fire way to kill ants in your yard is to pour boiling water on the mounds. However, don't do it near plants, the boiling water will damage roots. You could take a shovel, scoop the ants out, and dump in your driveway, sidewalk or anywhere away from plants, and then pour the water on the ants. Another method is to scoop one mound and dump onto another mound. The 'kingdoms' fight it out and kill each other. I tried that method, but not sure how effective it is.

 

[RhodeIslandRed5]

Whoops! That got posted three times!! BAD COMPUTER!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Awe! Now if you could just throw some fried chicken, a pot of greens, and homemade sweet potatoe pie in there I'd just die! You're the best Xerocles!!

Totally on board with sweet potatoe pie. I just do not want you to tell me the recipee, last time I was told how much butter went into one it put me off it for 10 years.

 

[jeepgirl13]

Totally on board with sweet potatoe pie. I just do not want you to tell me the recipee, last time I was told how much butter went into one it put me off it for 10 years.

Butter is like, the main ingredient in most southern dishes. I put a good bit in my grits with some salt and pepper. You get that good sweet cream butter..... mmmmmmmm

All right yall, you gone and done it. I'm heading to kitchen now for some grits and fried eggs. I've got bacon in the freezer too.....

 

[AllenK RGV]

Ducks will get the bugs (and even slugs) out of your garden. And they usually won't eat everything up

They had ducks at TSC yesterday, you think they would eat the 20 species of ants I have? I have everything I need to build them a pond. Twist my arm harder....

 

[jeepgirl13]

Truly tho, fire ants are awful. I've dealt with them in the south and Arizona. I've always used amdro for them, just making sure to put it where the chickens and dogs cant get to it. It takes care of all kinds of ants, even ones it doesnt list on the label. Try to find their holes and sprinkle it around where they are going in and out. They attack it right away and start moving it into the nest. It's the only thing that had ever worked for me

 

[jeepgirl13]

They had ducks at TSC yesterday, you think they would eat the 20 species of ants I have? I have everything I need to build them a pond. Twist my arm harder....

We tried ducks once. Didnt have a pond for them, but had a big water tub. They got the water so gross so fast. We had pekins though, I've heard they're just gross in general, but no clue for sure. After we harvested them I said no more ducks unless they have their own pond.

 

[EggWalrus]

I'm not sure how I'd feel about letting a bird run loose in my garden, as I look out at my green butt feathered cornish cross escape artist. I've heard that green tomatoes can kill a chicken, Looking at my downed tomato plants, I'm not sure that is a negative.

Red or green won't kill them. The little peckerheads ate most the tomatoes I planted till I put up a fence.
Then the deer jumped the fence and got the rest!

I'm putting up 8ft chainlink next.

 

[EggWalrus]

Truly tho, fire ants are awful. I've dealt with them in the south and Arizona. I've always used amdro for them, just making sure to put it where the chickens and dogs cant get to it. It takes care of all kinds of ants, even ones it doesnt list on the label. Try to find their holes and sprinkle it around where they are going in and out. They attack it right away and start moving it into the nest. It's the only thing that had ever worked for me

I've only had one chicken that I know of ever try to eat Amdro. He took two pecks at it and took off like his ass was on fire and his head was catching! He didn't die either and he's about 4 or 5 now. I've seen them eat fire ants and their eggs though. I guess the Amdro doesn't taste too good.

 

[jeepgirl13]

I've only had one chicken that I know of ever try to eat Amdro. He took two pecks at it and took off kill his ass was on fire and his head was catching! He didn't die either and he's about 4 or 5 now. I've seen them eat fire ants and their eggs though. I guess the Amdro doesn't taste too good.

Lucky you! My chickens wont touch ants for anything. I've always worried about the amdro, maybe I wont be AS worried anymore. I've got some big nasty black ants that keep coming into my house. Wanted to throw a bit down forever now, but my chickens eat the paint flecks off the siding.... soooo.....