How to Treat Fire Ants Around Animals

Fire ants, which were introduced to the United States in the 1900s, are unwelcome visitors around animals. The ants can give nasty multiple stings to grown animals; multiple stings to a newborn may result in the newborn's death. Although fire ants can't be eradicated, the areas in which animals live can be treated to prevent the ants from bothering them.

Things You'll Need

  • Poison bait
  • Dustpan and brush
  • Sealable plastic container
  • Empty cans
  • Soapy water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the area around your animal(s) for fire ant mounds, which indicate the location of the ant colony. The mounds look like piles of loose dirt, and are situated around plants or on higher ground.

    • 2

      Bait the area surrounding the fire ant mound to kill them off. Make sure you lock your animal away for the duration of the baiting process to prevent it from eating any poison. Follow the manufacturer's directions to ensure you use the baits properly.

    • 3

      Sweep up your animal's feces using a dustpan and brush. Remove manure by scooping it up and putting it on a compost heap. Fire ants are attracted to the flies and other insects that feces harbors, so removing it will help keep the ants away.

    • 4

      Store all animal feed in sealable plastic containers. Fire ants have been known to eat even dog food; keep all types of feed stored securely.

    • 5

      Clear away any of your animal's uneaten food; sweep up any that's spilled. This removes the source of food that the fire ants are attracted to.

    • 6

      Clean the animal's bedding regularly, and keep its cage, pen or hutch free of excrement and excess debris. Fire ants are more likely to lay eggs in these areas, so discourage their nesting by keeping the animal's habitat clean.

    • 7

      Mend leaking or broken faucets in chicken coops, sheds or pens. Removing a water source that's attractive to the fire ants will help treat the problem.

    • 8

      Place the legs of portable fencing or barriers in cans of soapy water to prevent fire ants from climbing from closer to your animal.