Fire Ants and Pest Control

Fire ants are among the most aggressive and disruptive pests in North America and beyond, posing risks to people, pets, and property. Fire Ants and Pest Control by Frank B. Glover Sr. is a comprehensive guide designed for pest management professionals, landscapers, and property owners who want to understand, manage, and control these persistent insects. This authoritative resource begins with a deep dive into fire ant biology and colony structure, explaining how workers, queens, and alates function within the superorganism to ensure survival and expansion. Readers will learn the critical differences between monogyne and polygyne colonies, how colonies expand through mating flights and budding, and why understanding these dynamics is essential for long-term control. The book explores habitat and environmental preferences, revealing why fire ants thrive in sunny, disturbed areas like lawns, athletic fields, roadways, and landscaped commercial properties. Moisture, soil temperature, and food availability are discussed in detail to help readers predict and prevent infestations. Safety and public health considerations are highlighted, emphasizing the risks fire ants pose in playgrounds, schools, parks, residential yards, and commercial outdoor spaces. Integrated Fire Ant Management (IFAM) is a cornerstone of this guide. Readers will discover how to combine monitoring, cultural practices, habitat modification, and chemical strategies for sustainable results. Chapters cover proactive measures such as mowing over mounds to redirect colonies, proper application of active ingredients, and risk assessment protocols to minimize stings and liability exposure. Advanced topics include understanding resistance, reinfestation, and why improper control can lead to podding—where one mound becomes multiple, creating new colonies if not properly managed. Fire Ants and Pest Control goes beyond basic treatments, teaching readers to anticipate colony behavior, protect high-risk areas, and apply professional strategies that go deeper than surface-level solutions. Whether managing residential lawns, commercial landscaping, parks, playgrounds, or agricultural land, this guide equips readers with practical, science-based knowledge to reduce fire ant populations safely and effectively. Written with decades of experience in pest and nuisance wildlife control, Frank B. Glover Sr. provides clear, actionable insights, helping professionals and property owners maintain safer, fire ant-free environments.