Ergonica WEED TWISTER vs. Fire Ants See Videos

Use the Weed Twister to dig deep into the ant colony to disrupt the growth of ant larvae and pupae and to assist in the application of hot water or organic pesticides.

Imported Fire Ants look very much like ordinary ants. They are between a tenth and a fourth of an inch in size with an array of many sizes within this range and reddish brown to black in color. Imported Fire Ants are very aggressive when disturbed and cause a painful sting that produces a small white pustule about 8-24 hours following the sting. 

This demonstration shows a 1-foot depth mark made by wrapping black tape around the shaft of the Weed Twister.  With a few twists of the T-handle, the coiled tines quickly screw into the soil to the 12-inch depth of the mark.  Fire ant colonies build mounds that may be 10 inches or more in height, 15 inches or more in diameter, and 3 feet or more in depth.  The average mound will require 3-4 holes.  Small nests, the size of a softball or less, will only need 1-2 holes. Nests with mounds larger than a beach ball will need 4-5 holes.  The more thoroughly you penetrate and destroy the nest and existing residents, the longer it will take for survivors to regroup and set up a new colony.  Although ants like water, their cold-blooded bodies cannot survive scalding temperatures at or near the boiling point.  Adding soap to the hot water, such as dishwashing detergent, will more effectively penetrate the soil.  About 2-3 gallons of water will be needed for the average size ant colony.

Although not essential, the fire ant mound is usually the most obvious part of the colony. The height of the mound and the depth to which the core extends into the soil are determined by factors such as colony size and age and soil texture and moisture. Inside the mound is a teeming metropolis of worker ants - all sterile females capable of stinging. Workers forage for food on the surface and bring it back to the colony to be processed.

Be prepared to quickly drench the colony with boiling water or other agents as soon as you penetrate the mound with your Weed Twister.  Do the "Fire Ant Dance" to deter their attack on your feet!

Imported Fire Ants (IFA) were accidentally introduced into the United States from South America, beginning in about 1918. Solenopsis richteri or the black IFA was the first of two species of fire ants to be introduced via shipping into Mobile, Alabama. Another species of fire ant (Solenopsis invicta or the red IFA) also became established in the Mobile area by the early 1940’s. The most common of the two species is the red IFA, which is now established in all or part of 13 states and Puerto Rico. The black IFA is found in a relatively small area comprising a part of northeastern Mississippi, northwestern Alabama, and southern Tennessee, with a hybrid of the red and black IFA being found near this region.   If you find these invaders on your property, chances are they are part of an extended family with relatives in your neighbors' yards, as well.  A neighborhood ant control plan will work more effectively than each resident doing (or not doing) his or her own thing.  Start by doing an assessment of fire ant pests on your entire block.

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