Fall is Prime Time Fire Ant Treatment Time

Not only do fire ants threaten crops, equipment, livestock, wildlife, and humans wherever they roam, but they build resilient colonies and have the ability to relocate when treated. That’s why building a fire ant control program inclusive of spring and fall treatments is so important.

So, why is fall an ideal time to treat for fire ants?

  1. Most of the fire ant swarming and mating behavior takes place in the spring. During the fall season, new colonies have become established. Even if you’re just beginning to see them on the surface, they’ve been maturing all summer.
  2. Fall weather is ideal for fire ant foraging. When temperatures dip below 70 degrees, colonies will begin foraging for winter. They will be hungry and craving protein.
  3. Treating during the fall will help you avoid a bigger fire ant problem in the spring.

By applying Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait with an insect growth regulator (IGR), or Extinguish® Plus, which contains an adulticide and IGR, you can take advantage of the fall-time foraging behavior of fire ants and help control fire ant colonies on your operation.

Let’s take a closer look at each product to help you determine which one will work best for your fall treatment.

Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait

Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait utilizes the active ingredient (S)-methoprene to help eliminate fire ant colonies, prevent rebound, and eliminate mound movement. Colony reduction can be seen beginning at 3 weeks and colony elimination can be seen within 6-8 weeks.

Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait is an IGR-based bait that can be used with confidence around people, livestock, pets, and even other beneficial ant species. Designed specifically to target imported fire ants, Southern (California) fire ants, and protein-feeding pavement ants, Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait provides effective fire ant control without withdrawal or grazing restrictions.

Extinguish® Plus

Extinguish® Plus combines the killing action of an adulticide and the long-lasting control of an IGR. The adulticide starts killing worker fire ants immediately after ingestion, while the IGR prevents the queens from laying fertile eggs. Extinguish® Plus is labeled for takedown of imported and native fire ants, harvester ants, big-headed ants and Argentine ants.

This dual-action product is approved for indoor and outdoor use for residential and commercial properties, container or nursery stock, sod farms, rangeland, pastures, commercial turf and more.

To learn more, visit the Extinguish® Professional Fire Ant Bait Product Page and the Extinguish® Plus Product Page or contact us.