With spring and summer almost upon us, many families turn their attention to picnics, parks and playgrounds. The summer months are when people spend the most time outdoors, and also the time when families are most at risk to encounter fire ants, an annoying, and sometimes dangerous, summertime pest. Homeowners can prevent fire ant infestations by banding together with neighbors for a block party to stamp out the bugs.

Studies have proven that areas with diligent neighborhood programs, where multiple homeowners treat their property at the same time with the same treatment, can reduce the number of active mounds by as much as 96 percent. Neighborhood programs are a proven method to prevent fire ant infestations, making communities safer for everyone. But for many fire ant experts, lapses in successful neighborhood suppression programs are as irritating as a fire ant sting.

“Fire ants are a common enemy for community members,” says Tim Davis, fire ant suppression specialist with Clemson (S.C.) University. “It’s counterproductive to give up on a neighborhood program.”

Davis says the efficacy of a neighborhood program only becomes better as more homeowners participate. The problem is many homeowners forget about the program or neglect to treat in sync with their neighbors. They don’t believe they can get all of the people in their neighborhood to participate, or they don’t believe it can work at all.

But this kind of thinking is not only counterproductive, it’s downright untrue. While statistics speak for themselves, there are many ways to contest the theory that neighborhood programs cannot be undertaken.

“There are a number of benefits to neighborhood programs,” says Davis, who along with colleague Russell Duncan, implemented an effective and educational program in Clarendon County, S.C. “The larger the treated area, the longer the dormant period (where fire ants are not present) lasts. A coordinated effort between neighbors makes the treated areas bigger, making it harder for fire ants to re-colonize.”

Another added benefit? “Neighborhood programs can lead to great interaction and participation between neighbors on a variety of community issues, not just with fire ants,” says Davis.

Two-Stepping

Neighbors can improve the efficacy of their program by using the same treatment. One proven tactic is known as the Over ‘n Out Two-Step Method, a fast-acting, long-lasting way of stopping fire ants in their tracks. Step one is to use Over ‘n Out Mound Treatment to immediately destroy the visible mounds. Then, complete step two a few days later with Over ‘n Out Broadcast Treatment, to take care of everything that can’t be seen, preventing fire ants from rebuilding their mounds, creating season-long control of fire ants in your yard.

To learn more about the Over ‘n Out Two-Step Method and how to organize your own neighborhood program, visit www.fireantfree.com or talk to fire ant suppression specialists and homeowners on FireRANT! (http://fireants.blog.com).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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