Question
This is my second year of planting a garden.  Last year I had a terrible time with getting rid of fire ants.  I tried a few organic products I found online - I don't remember the stuff or the site (my computer crashed since then).   I am in the process of tilling my garden to start planting and found 5-10 ant mounds that were not seen above ground.  I have a fairly small garden (< 1/4 acre).  Any suggestions?  My next attempt I am going to try pouring scalding water on them but that will only work until I plant.  I live in Georgia so we are run rampant with fire ants.   thanks....Karen

Answer
Dear Karen:

Some of the organic baits on the market that are listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute are Safer Brand Fire Ant Bait and Green Light Fire Ant Control with Conserve. These products contain the active ingredient spinosad.

"Spinosad is a product formed from a common bacteria found in nature," Engler said. "Once ingested by the fire ant, spinosad attacks the nervous system causing paralysis and death."

Pouring hot water on the mounds is effective and environmentally friendly, but may require 3 or 4 applications to kill the colony. Water should be at least scalding hot, but does not need to be boiling. This works best when you use 3 to 4 gallons of water in each application. WARNING: Hot water kills grass and shrubbery and may cause severe burns if spilled.

Checkout the web link listed below for a primer on the Texas Two Step Organic Method of Fire Ant Control written by Nathan Riggs, Texas Cooperative Extension Agent:

http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/HomeHort/F1Column/2004Articles/May2.htm

I once lived in Georgia so I can relate to the problem you're dealing with Karen.  Coincidentally, I received my Master Gardener Certification from the University of Georgia Extension Service in 1987.

Good luck and hope you have a wonderful spring and summer!

Regards,

Mack Jean
AllExperts
Master Gardener
Tennessee