Fire ants are harmful to humans. It's no wonder then that you'd want to find the most effective way to get rid of their presence right away. In your search, you probably came across Sevin Dust and now you're wondering if it will kill fire ants effectively. We asked the experts about it and here's what they have to say.
Yes, Sevin Dust is known to be effective in killing fire ants. It is ready to use upon purchase. Just give its container a good shake before you proceed to sprinkle it on the affected areas outside of your home. This insecticide will kill the fire ants once they come into contact with it.
Keep on reading to find out more about Sevin Dust and what makes it effective in killing fire ants. We'll also teach you how to apply this in your garden. This article will also answer if Sevin Dust is harmful to humans, what kills fire ants instantly, and how to find the nest of fire ants. Let's get this started!
Will Sevin Dust deter ants?
One of the most invasive pests you can ever encounter is the fire ant. This type of ant is often lured near homes through surrounding plants, potted or not. They would want to invade your home when they detect fatty or oily foods.
They're those reddish-brown ants that have probably stung you one time or another. That's how common they are that for sure!
Fire ants got their name from the burning sensation that you feel when they sting you with their venom. Lucky you if you got away with it with just an itchy feeling. Some who have an allergy to insect bites would experience worse symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, swelling of the throat, and rapid heart rate.
When you see fire ants, avoid them at all costs. Get rid of them ASAP for your own good and to prevent further damage to your plants and home.
This is where Sevin Dust comes in. It is one of the most popular brands of insecticides that are readily available in the market and ready to use. Its active ingredient can be carbaryl or zeta-cypermethrin, both of which are effective in killing pests.
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These substances work by causing fire ants to become overly stimulated once they come into contact with Sevin Dust. It'll damage their central nervous system leading to the fire ants twitching or inability to move ultimately leading to their death.
How To Apply Sevin Dust To Your Garden
Before anything else, keep in mind that Sevin Dust is recommended for outdoor use only. Watch our for early signs of fire ant infestation so that you prevent further damage.
As a safety precaution, wear a face mask, goggles, and limit your skin exposure to this insecticide by putting on long sleeves and pants.
There's no need to mix it with other substances. You just shake its container and sprinkle the dust particles across your lawn or the soil of your garden plants.
You can also sprinkle it around the foundation of your home. Make sure you target places where the fire ants would most likely come into direct contact with it but avoid sprinkling Sevin Dust on the flowers.
After application, let it settle for two days before you water your plants. It is also advised that you check the weather forecast and make sure that it is going to be sunny or dry for the next two days so that the insecticide won't be washed up by the rain.
In case it does rain right after your application, you would have to reapply so you can get your expected results.
If you're not satisfied with the immediate results, wait for seven days before you can reapply Sevin Dust on the affected plants again.
Speaking of results, Sevin Dust will take effect immediately upon the fire ants' contact with this insecticide. It'll also give protection to your plants for up to three months.
Read the product label properly so that you know where and how to use it. Check out "How to Use Sevin Dust on Vegetables" for more information.
Is Sevin powder harmful to humans?
Sevin Dust is an insecticide that has been registered strictly for outdoor application only. When used as instructed, Sevin Dust wouldn't present any significant health risks to humans. We are tolerant of this substance under low-level exposure.
It's only upon direct exposure to its active ingredient carbaryl that it can be toxic to humans and pets, too.
Once inhaled, one can experience dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and slurred speech. Ingestion of this poisonous substance could lead to fluid in the lungs, seizures, and a reduction in the functions of the heart and lungs.
When this product is applied indoors, many things can happen. Little kids can touch it and pets can play with it which could lead to their intoxication. Unless you sweep it off right away (which defeats the purpose), the dust particles will settle on the floor.
They can even make their way into your HVAC system and affect the quality of your indoor air.
Check the product information as it could also kill beneficial insects. As much as possible, spare them from this product. They can also kill some aquatic animals so be careful how you dispose of this insecticide.
What kills fire ants instantly?
The thing with Sevin Dust is you don't know how long will it take for it to kill the entire ant colony. Each member must get into contact with the insecticide so that it can do its thing with its central nervous system.
At this age and time, we are so used to instant results. So, if you just cannot wait to get rid of fire ants, you can try the following methods.
Hot Water
You can either directly pour boiling water on their mounds or mix some drops of dishwashing liquid with hot water and spray on their location.
These simple techniques are said to be 60% to 70% effective in killing the members of the fire ant colony.
Insecticides
There are different brands of insecticides for fire ants. They can be classified into contact killers and baits. Choose fast-acting insect killers that would suit your needs.
Some say that they can get rid of fire ants in 15 minutes and target the queen of the colony, too. This is important in your quest to get rid of fire ants in your area successfully. Read customer reviews regarding the effectiveness of the products.
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Whether you try the hot water method for a natural approach or use a fast-acting insecticide, choose what will work best for your situation especially if you have special considerations such as pets and kids around.
How do you find a fire ant nest?
The good news is that it is quite easy to spot the habitat of fire ants. Just look for a mound. As fire ants dig underground for their nests, they push the soil upwards creating these mounds.
But this isn't where they live. They live deep under the ground and sometimes there are no mounds. You just need to observe and look for their presence.
Settling deep in the soil is one of their ways also to escape from human intervention. However, when the ground itself is hot and humid, you will see these fire ants making their way above the ground and that's when it's easy to spot them even without the presence of mounds.
Final Thoughts
Sevin Dust can kill the aggressive and invasive fire ants upon contact. It is a ready-to-use insecticide that you should apply outdoors where fire ants usually stay or pass by so that it can take effect in their bodies' central nervous system leading to their death.
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