When dealing with imported fire ants in flood water, care must be taken
to avoid being stung by ants floating in colony "rafts". Closing flooded
public land areas should be considered. FAPFS describes a dilute soapy water
spray that can be used to cause ants to sink and drown quickly.
Pesticide use around bodies of water should be used with care to avoid surface
water contamination. Bait-formulated products can only be applied to ground around
bodies of water - not to water surfaces. Effectiveness relies on worker ant foraging
and retrieving the bait insecticide. The fastest-acting baits include products
containing indoxacarb - eliminating ant colonies in 3 to 10 days. Contact insecticides
can provide faster control but many have toxicity to aquatic organisms. They
should also not be applied to flood water, only to ants on land around bodies
of water.
