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Mom2Czars
10-15-2006, 12:17 PM
How much DE should I be putting out? A heavy, wide band of DE? A tiny amount? Should I mix it into the dirt or leave it on top?

We've been told ants are the cause of our liner holes that were just repaired. It's cold up north here now and I don't know how active they are now.

I set up a couple stations of borax/sugar baits but again, I don't know how busy they are right now.

I'm willing to try anything up to and including the nuclear option, any advice is welcome.:D

SeanB.
10-15-2006, 01:34 PM
Next spring, use overn'out fire ant killer.
http://www.gardentech.com/ono.asp

It's a granular and is applied with a spreader, just like dry fertilizer. All you need to do is measure how far your spreader throws the granules and make sure you stay that distance away from the edge of your pool - that way you won't have any unwanted chemicals in the water.

You only apply it once and it works all season long!

If you are wanting to spot treat for now, use Ortho (Orthene) fire ant killer.
http://www.ortho.com/index.cfm/event/ProductGuide.product/documentId/8fcd3c1758a23cf552ff54f79075b601

It will get rid of any mound in about two days. Be forewarned though - it's fairly stinky stuff, so you may not want to put it near the doors.

HTH.

Mom2Czars
10-15-2006, 02:22 PM
I don't have fire ants, does it matter? Mine are just the normal black ones.

SeanB.
10-15-2006, 02:31 PM
I don't have fire ants, does it matter? Mine are just the normal black ones.

I'm sure it'll kill any kind of ants.