Waging War!

  It seems that during the 1930s, a ship made a run from South America to the Port of Mobile (Alabama).  Supposedly, this ship used dirt as ballast and supposedly, the folks loading the ballast were not overly observant about what dirt they used.  (Or, perhaps, there were no laws about such things back then.)  The dirt contained fire ants and, once the ship made port, the ants found a new home.  So, according to all accounts, Mobile, Alabama was where the feisty critters found their start in the United States.  Since then, the ants found the area favorable due to the warm, humid climate and they multiplied greatly.  The colonies soon spread all over the southeast and that includes the area around the Bayou.  We have our share of the little, biting buggers.  I have been battling fire ants for as long as I can remember!  Not one that likes using a lot of harmful chemicals, I use a method that Mark's uncle taught me.  This involves bringing a very large pot of water to a boil, toting it outside to the fire ant mound, using a long stick, poke a hole in the top of the mound and, finally, dumping the entire pot of hot water into the mound.  The water causes the mound to collapse killing thousands of the mean critters.  The next day, check the area.  Usually, the remaining live ants will be carrying out their dead and the damaged eggs.  Others may be relocating within a short distance and creating a new mound.  It is best to attack both sites this time..the new mound and the old caved-in mound.  This method has proven to lessen the number of mounds in the yard greatly. 

  I did find a huge mound this afternoon.  Son and I were out doing a bit of yard work when I happened to walk past a large clump of palmettos.  I rarely go past this clump since it is on the edge of our property.  Today, however, I meandered on the back side and found the gigantic fire ant mound!  My goodness!  This thing towered above the ground a good 18 inches high and was 2 feet in diameter!  I made a mental note to boil water tomorrow!  Son and I will tackle the colony with a vengeance over the next few days.  Normally, the ants will mate in spring but with the lack of winter, they may take a notion to swarm soon.  It will be wise to try to eradicate them while they are all still in the one mound.