• Red Imported Fire Ants form loose dirt-filled mounds that rise above the ground's surface. When disturbed, the ants swarm over the ground and attack anyone or anything disturbing the mound. The stings leave red, swollen pus-filled sores. Fire ants are capable of killing small animals and children. There are natural home remedies available that kill fire ants, but are not always effective in killing the entire colony, including the queen.
  
  

Boiling Water

• Boiling or scalding water often is used as a home remedy for killing fire ants. It takes about three gallons of boiling water to eliminate most of the mound and perhaps reach the queen, located 2 feet or more underground. Make a hole in the mound before pouring in the boiling water. This method is most effective when the ants are close to the surface reconstructing their mound after a hard rainfall. Remember, boiling water is dangerous to handle and kills surrounding vegetation. Several applications may be necessary to completely kill a mound.
  
  

Bleach

• Bleach kill fire ants when it has contact with them. However, bleach is volatile and the chlorine rapidly dissipates into the atmosphere. Also, a lot of bleach will soak into the ground and can potentially enter the groundwater supply. If the queen is not killed, the ants will simply move to another location. It is illegal to use this or other chemicals for purposes inconsistent with their labelling. Bleach is not labelled for use in fire ant control.
  
  

Removing the Mound

• Take several buckets and dust the inside with baby powder or corn starch. This prevents the ants from crawling out of the buckets. Use a shovel to dig out the mound. Include soil 12 to 18 inches deep or deeper if necessary. Divide the mound into several buckets. To kill the ants, pour one or two tablespoons of dish-washing detergent into the bucket and half fill the bucket with water. Agitate the water as it is being added to the bucket. If the ants clump together, they will not drown. Wait one hour to allow the ants to drown. Dispose of the dead ants and muddy soil by pouring the mixture back into the same hole it was taken from.