I am from east Texas,and need some advice on killing these fire ants.just ran up on this site some how,and glad I did.sounds like fun and informative.just wanted to say hi to all.

Interesting. I see that they are tougher than I figured they'd be.

Looks like Baiting and Drenching is the recommended treatment... although I read that it's an ongoing battle.

Here are a couple of links that describe similar tactics: The first one is from Texas A&M University:

http://fireant.tamu.edu/management/twostep.cfm

http://www.fireant.com/

Hi, drycreek,
They are usually hard to get rid of, and it does take persistence.
Go to a local Farm Store, or Agricultural Agent, or even a larger department store; look for Ant Killer.
Sometimes, one might even specify Fire Ants.
Granule types are good, but if you can't find it, even the spray can is good, but have to keep at it.
Some have even tried pouring gas on the ant hills, digging it a little with a rake, and lighting it! But, it doesn't work very well, cause they go too deep. I do NOT recommend that method; just mentioned because others have tried it. Sounds too dangerous for me.
Best of luck.

Hi there Rickj advice is correct. Baiting or Drenching is the best method in treating fire ants. The best time to treat the mounds are early in the morning when it cool. If you are looking for fast killing action you might want to look at Drenching 1 to 2 gallon per mounds. Other wise used bait but understand it can take several weeks to eliminate the colony.

Buy a product called Amdro. Sprinkle abot a tablespoon directly on top of the mound... about a day later that mound is dead... They are very hard to control and they are costing the State of Texas millions of dollars in tourist money plus they are very hard on the wildlife because they kill the young pirds and young deer and other animals.

I live in North Carolina, and also have a problem with fire ants. I use a powder that I get at Lowe's, called Ortho Fire Ant killer. You just sprinkle a light dusting over and around the edges of the mound, and within 12 hours, the mound is dead. My biggest problem now, is, that I go to all the trouble of searching out and treating every mound, (I have 3+ acres) but my neighbor doesn't treat his property, so every time he mows his yard, he blows the ants all over the place, and I have to go back and retreat. It's an ongoing battle!