One more suggestion for fire ant control:
There's also another commercial-grade product called TOPCHOICE (I think there's a "retail version" in some stores).
TOPCHOICE is a granular fire ant insecticide that contains the active-ingredient "fipronil". Though not a bait, TOPCHOICE is designed for broadcast treatments to high foot-traffic areas (parks, golf courses, lawns, etc) where the need to eliminate the threat of fire ants justifies the "perceived" higher cost. Though it is slow to take effect (several weeks), its residual period often lasts up to 12 months. So, when I say "perceived higher cost", consider the extended length of control when evaluating the product's price.
Interesting footnotes: Fipronil is virtually non-toxic to vertebrates (it only affects insects at prescribed dosages). Also, if any of you are using a product called FRONTLINE to control fleas and ticks on your dogs, check that product's active-ingredient. Yep, its fipronil (a good example of its low toxicity toward animals).
