Fire ants in garden - Ask Extension
Hi,
I’m getting a lot of fire ant mounds popping up in my garden beds. What do you recommend using on mounds that are near herbs and vegetable p...
Knowledgebase
Fire ants in garden #851295
Asked September 26, 2023, 1:31 PM EDT
Hi,
I’m getting a lot of fire ant mounds popping up in my garden beds. What do you recommend using on mounds that are near herbs and vegetable plants? Also, should I be spreading anything preventively to deter fire ants or would anything like that harm beneficial insects as well? Thank you!
Orange County North Carolina
Expert Response
Hello Rachel,
Unfortunately, fire ants are difficult to treat. You must use baits or insecticides that are specifically labeled for vegetable gardens or food crops in NC.
NC is very strict when it comes to approved fire ant products for the garden. I am providing a link from Clemson University (SC) because the list is a starting point for products you may find in NC.
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/controlling-fire-ants-in-the-vegetable-garden/
Read the label.
