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swimming fire ants
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Author:  sandraca [ Thu Jul 31, 2003 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  swimming fire ants

We just put in an in-ground pool this year and the fire ants are really enjoying it. Unfortunately, we aren't enjoying sharing the pool with them. I would like any suggestions for keeping them out of the water, killing them, etc. I was told Howard Garrett mentioned a new product, ant bait, last week but haven't heard the name of it.
Any ideas are welcome.
Thanks,
Sandra

Author:  cynthiac [ Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:11 pm ]
Post subject: 

I keep seeing this over and over as I search the net. Mainly that ants are attracted to the electric current.

Tarrant County Fire Ant News
"Fire ants are attracted to the electromagnetic field created by an alternating electric current. This may be due to hematite, natural magnetic material, found in their bodies".
http://tarranttaex.tamu.edu/fireantnews.html

Another page: Fire ants are attracted to electrical systems in equipment as varied as computers, swimming pool pumps, cars, and washing machines. They can cause short circuits and fires.

My only advice to you is that you need to find the mounds and destory the "source". Find a trail of the little pests, and follow them home.
As far as how to go about that. There are tons of ways, I'd just do a search.
My best success to move them away was:
A blended mixture of hot sauce, garlic, lemons, dish detergent, jalapenos, onions and HOT water. It was just anything hot and that I thought they'd hate! They did. :wink:

Ants also detest peppermint and cinnamon.

Interesting fact:
"Never step on or otherwise squash an ant. And never spray an ant with a pesticide. Ants leave a scent when they are injured or killed this way. And, that scent signals many, many more to come to the area where the ant was killed. Vacuum them instead! They won't have a chance to leave their scent. However, if you do squash an ant, immediately clean the area where you killed the ant with a good cleaning solution to get rid of the ant's scent".
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Ants will also chew into flexible piping. You may want to contact the pool company, or another one, and see what they suggest you do. It may save you money in the long run. See: Why are bubbles coming into the pool? http://www.electricmotorwarehouse.com/pump_troubleshooting.htm
**********
Ants and mice have been known to destroy pool covers left under decks, in sheds, or garages, etc. Be sure to keep it stored away from them.
*********
I just came across an article by Howard Garrett about Diatomaceous Earth.
http://ighawaii.com/naturally/naturalanimal/de.html
In another place I saw this:
Dehydrate Them
"You can sprinkle diatomaceous earth around and in the ant beds. You can get it at swimming pool places and it is harmless to humans and pets. It dehydrates and kills the ants". http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/000424a.cfm
*******

I hope you get some ideas out of all this. :roll: I tried. :lol:

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