SafeLawn

Can I treat fire ants myself?

As noted, fire ants are extremely territorial; they will attack if threatened. Trying to treat a fire ant mound with granular pesticides with a do-it-yourself method not only may be ineffective, but this also puts you in danger of being attacked. If you spot a fire ant mound on your property, the best course of action is to contact a pest control professional who is trained to safely identify, treat and eliminate fire ant colonies.

DIY Mosquito Treatments

Some do-it-yourself treatments may help manage small mosquito populations:

• Apply an over-the-counter insecticide. These will kill mosquitoes on contact, but will not prevent new ones.
• Add bacteria called bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (or Bti) to water where larvae are found. Bti produces proteins that become toxins once ingested by the larvae.
• Place mosquito traps in infested areas. These traps are capable of killing thousands of mosquitoes per day.
• Avoid bug zappers. While these machines kill other types of insects, they have proven to be ineffective for mosquito problems.

Mosquitoes pose a serious health hazard and should be professionally treated if found in large numbers.

DIY Methods

Insecticide sprays designed for bees, wasps, and hornets can be effective when they make contact with the insect. However, they can also irritate a nest, causing it to become more active. Also, bees are important pollinators that help our crops grow, but they are on the decline worldwide. It is advisable not to kill the bees if possible. Because of the high degree of danger associated with stings, the best way to handle a bee, wasp, or hornet issue is to contact a licensed pest professional who can remove or relocate the nest.