Fire Ants vs. Common Ants
Fire ants operate a little differently from typical black garden ants, as they are less likely to invade homes. These soil-dwelling insects usually stay outdoors, but their mounds can be just as problematic as any other anthill. Accidentally step on one, and you’ll regret it—each fire ant can sting multiple times, leaving behind painful, itchy welts.
And while they don’t often enter homes, it’s not impossible. You could walk into your bathroom one day and discover a trail of fire ants crawling across the floor, walls, or even the ceiling.
Why DIY Fire Ant Control Methods Don’t Work
Because fire ant infestations are so common, many homeowners turn to DIY solutions in an effort to eradicate colonies. Unfortunately, most of these methods simply aren’t effective long-term.
Here are five of the most common at-home fire ant control methods—and why you should avoid using them:
1. Baking Soda & Vinegar
Some homeowners pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar onto anthills, hoping the natural reaction will eliminate the colony. It’s often chosen because it’s nontoxic and environmentally friendly.
Why It’s Ineffective:
While this method may kill some ants, it rarely affects the entire colony. Worse, it does nothing to prevent future colonies from forming in other areas of your yard.
2. Boiling Water
Boiling water is another popular “natural” method, based on the belief that it will kill ants on contact.
Why It’s Ineffective:
Research shows boiling water can kill up to 60% of a colony when pouring 3 gallons directly onto a mound. That means 40% of the ants may survive and simply relocate or rebuild elsewhere.
Additionally, carrying and pouring 3 gallons of scalding water is risky—it’s heavy, dangerous, and can cause severe burns if spilled. Boiling water also damages your lawn and surrounding plants.
3. Club Soda
Club soda has long been rumored to eliminate ant colonies due to its carbon dioxide content.
Why It’s Ineffective:
Although carbon dioxide is toxic to many insects, a single bottle of club soda doesn’t contain enough to reach or affect the depths of an ant colony. Fire ants often build tunnels that extend up to 12 feet underground—far deeper than club soda can reach.
4. Uncooked Grits
This old wives’ tale suggests that uncooked grits expand in ants' stomachs after consumption, causing them to die—similar to myths about birds and rice.
Why It’s Ineffective:
There’s no evidence this works. In fact, most worker fire ants can’t digest solid food—they require liquid nourishment. Only the larvae can process solid foods, making this method useless for colony-wide elimination.
How to Effectively Eliminate Fire Ants
To truly get rid of fire ants—and keep them gone—you need a proven, long-lasting solution. Bizzy Bee Exterminators offers science-based fire ant control that targets entire colonies and prevents reinfestation. Our treatment is safe for:
- Family members
- Pets
- Grazing animals
- Nearby vegetation
- Groundwater
If you’re ready to reclaim your yard from fire ants, trust the experts at Bizzy Bee Exterminators.
Let our team help you avoid dangerous, persistent fire ants all year long. Our targeted fire ant control provides effective, long-lasting results—giving you peace of mind and a yard you can finally enjoy.
Call us today to schedule your fire ant control service: 1-800-273-4958
