Memorial Day is coming and you still have time to reduce the fire ant mounds in your lawn before the traditional cookout and volleyball match. But you better start working on it now!

Fire ant management in the home landscape is possible, but like anything worth doing it takes diligence and persistence. There are so many available products and strategies, not to mention the glut of misinformation, that it can be confusing. It doesn't have to be that way. There is a fairly simple, well-researched method that is affordable and very effective at suppressing fire ants. It is commonly referred to as the "Two-Step Method."

The first step requires using a broadcast bait. Baits are products that fire ants think are food. Worker ants pick up this "food," take it back to the mound and feed it to the other ants, including the queen. Baits are very effective when applied properly. Consequently, it is essential to understand the foraging habits of ants and take advantage of their natural behavior.

Fire ants forage over long distances, up to 80 yards or more, typically when the soil surface temperature is 70 degrees to 95 degrees F. During this time of year they are typically foraging in midday, but the best way to know when to apply bait is to place a small amount in the area to be treated. Go back to the test pile after 20 to 30 minutes and if ants are collecting the bait, then it is a good time to apply it.

As the name implies, broadcast baits should be broadcast over a large area, not applied to individual mounds. The typical application rate is 1 to 1.5 pounds of bait per acre. That is not much material and over application does not improve success, it only wastes money. A small hand-held spreader typically works well for home lawn applications.

Baits have a short shelf life and should only be used fresh. Therefore, do not purchase more bait than you can use in the current season. Additionally, baits are not effective if they get wet. Store them in a cool, dry place and only apply them after the dew dries and at least 12 hours before a forecasted rain. If you follow the bait application guidelines, you should see greater than an 85 percent reduction in fire ant populations within 7 to 10 days.

Available baits include, but are not limited to, Amdro®, Extinguish®, and Enforcer Fire Ant Bait®.

The second step involves the use of an individual mound treatment product. These products are applied directly to any individual mounds that survived or reinfested your landscape after the bait treatment. They will only kill the mounds to which they are applied. Individual mound treatments include, but are not limited to, Orthene Fire Ant Killer® (acephate), Sevin® (carbaryl) and Bayer Advanced Fire Ant Killer Ready-to-Use Dust® (beta-cyfluthrin).

Followed properly, this program should keep fire ant mounds at an acceptable level for 3 to 4 months. A second bait application is generally recommended in the early fall.

Currently, this Two-Step Method should cost less than $20 to treat a half-acre landscape; a small price to pay to not have your barbecue spoiled by a barrage of painful fire ant stings.

Pesticide labels change frequently. Always read and follow all label directions before buying or using any pesticide.

For more information and additional fire ant management products and techniques visit Clemson's Fire Ant web page (http://www. clemson.edu/ sandhill/fireants.page) or the local Clemson Extension Office.