Fire Ant Invasions

Fire Ant

For a decade, I've occasionally used little tins of borax to discourage the native ants who swarmed the driveway and pool deck in the spring, attracted by all the sand laid under the interlock and patio stones.

It's important to let the native ants thrive.

Reddish-brown fire ants, European immigrants which formerly plagued only the east coast (Maine, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) and the American south, are moving north and west.

Fire ants are causing trouble in Quebec and Ontario yards and may be on their way to your neighbourhood. Fire ants will gang up to attack a human, biting and leaving stinging welts. Some people are deathly allergic to the sting. Once they establish residence on your property, you're in for a battle to get rid of them.

You can't even easily drown them, as the UK DailyMail reports here.

Researchers haven't yet found an effective method of killing them off.  The presence of fire ant colonies can eventually make it impossible for you to enjoy the use of your outdoor property. That will effect the resale value of your home, even if you decide to give up the battle and move into a condo.

Ants are territorial and the the active presence of native (non-biting) ants may help deter fire ants from setting up homes in your yard-- practically nothing else will.
So, if you haven't yet been invaded by fire ants, and your native ants are staying outside, put away the tins of borax and treat your native ant population with a little respect. The biting fire ants are on their way.
Read a recent story about fire ants, here.