5 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Fire Ants

There are many different types of ants and they come in all shapes and sizes. But, there are only a few that present a risk to humans. The fire ant is often referred to as a red ant, simply because it is a light brown-reddish color. 

In appearance, they are similar to other ants. They tend to create colonies in large mounds in open areas. But, they are also much more aggressive than standard ants. 

Many species of ant bite and spray acid on a wound. Fire ants bite to get a grip on something and then sting with a toxic venom. The sensation for humans is like being burned by fire. Being aggressive means they push many other species away, retaining an area for their own use. 

In rare cases, the bite of a fire ant can be fatal, simply because the person is allergic. 

If you think you have an issue with fire ants it’s a good idea to click here and find out more about what your local expert can do to help resolve the issue.

There are also several home remedies you can employ to get rid of the fire ants.

1. Vinegar, Baking Soda & Water

Mix an equal amount of each of these substances in a container and then place it in a spray bottle. You can then spray the nest directly and cover any areas that you know the fire ants like to walk along. 

This doesn’t kill the ants but the vinegar smell will repel them, causing them to abandon their nest and move away from your home.

You’ll have to keep re-spraying until they’ve gone.

2.  Cayenne Pepper

Place four sliced cayenne peppers in a pan of boiling water and add a tablespoon of powdered cayenne pepper. Let it come to the boil and simmer for ten minutes. Then place the water in a jar with the pepper mix and leave it to stew for 24 hours.

The mixture can then be poured into their nest, killing all the ants inside it.

It’s worth spreading some cayenne pepper powder in a circle around the nest first. Ants hate walking over powder, this will help to ensure they all stay in the nest and die.

3.  Lemon Water

Mixing half a cup of lemon juice with the same amount of water will give you a spray mixture that can be sprayed anywhere you know the ants like to travel. You’ll have to keep re-spraying but this will effectively deter and kill the ants.

4.  Dish Soap

Something as simple as dish soap can be fatal to fire ants! Mix the dish soap with a little water and spray it directly onto the ants. It will destroy their exoskeleton and cause them to dehydrate, rapidly killing them.

5.  Diatomaceous Earth

This earth is actually the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton and is one of the most abundant resources on the planet.

It damages the exoskeleton of the fire ants, causing the moisture in their body to evaporate resulting in the death of the ant.