Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys, how do you guys in the south deal with fire ants? I live in CT and have only seen them on occasion in Florida on vacation. We are seriously considering a house in FL but I am worried about fire ants. If they are in the yard how do you get rid of them without toxifying your tortoises?

Thanks,
Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

If you get a house that has fire ants in the yard, get amdro from HD or Lowes and sprinkle it around the ant mound. That will kill the fir ants. It is granules of poison. You may need to keep your torts inside while the poison works and give it time to dissipate or just isolate the ant hills and make sure your torts can't get to it. You need to check out the property first to determine if it really is a problem. The amdro breaks down after a bit.

Dumping a pan of boiling water on the mound works good for about a 90% kill and you can put the torts right back in.The Amdros type has no fumes and I put a heavy block or patio stone on top.Attracted by very dark objects.In winter I found out years ago that a heat matt/pig blanket will attract fire ants when used outside on the ground.I hang them upside down(the matt.)from the top of their hut or simply make legs for the heat matt from cement blocks and then cover with a tarp.Dont not move here from fire antphobia,(wait till you find a Moc in your tortoise enclosure)its a perfect State for tortoises.That is unless they pass HB 669 then we ALL go underground like ants.Vic..........live free or die....out

Thanks everyone for the responses. I sure wouldnt let fire ants keep me away from Florida. This New England weather SUCKS so much it is not funny at all. Useless winters for 6 months. Anyway, thanks again and I will not be as afeared of the fire ants!

Carole
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www.reptilecare.com

The Ants have never bothered any of my Tortoises or Turtles. They'll eat the goop off any fresh eggs, but thats about it. Make sure that you feed in small amounts to keep from speading around more ant bait and you'll have less issues. Boiling water works to a degree, but the mound will move a few feet over and start again.
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South Central Herpetological

It has been reported that Adult tortoises have been killed by fire ants.Also any eggs deposited by a tortoise cracked or leaking will attract fire ants.Amdros can be applyed around the outside edge of enclosure after inside nest are destroyed.Small tortoises can go into shock and die quickly.New nest are built following heavy rain.Containers(dark color) that are placed over a fire ant mound will cause them to build a above ground nest, which can make your killing of them more effective.They do just tend to move and start over so depending on the size your yard it might take awhile to chace them into your neighbors yard.I've always wanted a Gaint Ant Eated for this problem.Vic.............................Pic Write your Congress person about HR669 or pet ants are all you will have

vi

Vic, under HR699 those fire ants would be illegal to keep. And you could be charged with breeding them also.And if somehow they could be traced and cross state lines ...well. Everyone , please write your Congressman. I have!