How to Use the Texas A&M Two-Step Fire Ant

🧰 What You'll Need

Fire ant bait (Amdro or Extinguish Plus)Individual mound treatmentBait applicator or hand spreaderWarm dry day

📋 Steps

Step 1 — Broadcast bait over entire property

Apply fire ant bait (Amdro, Extinguish Plus, or Advion Fire Ant Bait) uniformly over the entire treatment area using a hand spreader or bait applicator. Don't pile it at mounds — broadcast uniformly at label rate. Foraging workers from ALL colonies collect and carry it back. This addresses the entire property at once.

Wait 2 weeks before Step 2

Allow workers to carry bait back to all colonies. Do NOT treat individual mounds during this period — disturbing mounds interrupts bait collection. Wait the full 2 weeks.

Step 2 — Treat persistent mounds individually

After 2 weeks, identify remaining active mounds and treat each individually with a fast-acting mound treatment (bifenthrin granules + water, or liquid drench). This finishes off colonies that didn't collect enough bait.

Time the application correctly

Apply when soil temperature is 65-95°F and workers are actively foraging — typically morning or late afternoon. Never apply bait when rain is expected within 24 hours — wet bait is not collected.

💡 Pro Tips

Bait freshness matters — use bait from a sealed container opened within the last 6 months. Rancid bait is not collected
For polygyne (multi-queen) populations in east Texas and Louisiana, broadcast bait alone is more important than individual mound treatment
Fall application (September-October) when soil is 70-85°F is often the most effective timing

💰 Cost to Fix This Problem

Approach	Typical Cost	Best For
DIY materials only	$15–$40	Mild or early-stage infestations
Professional service (one-time)	$130–$300	Active infestations or when DIY has already failed
Ongoing service contract	$400–$800/yr	Prevention and long-term peace of mind

Approach

Typical Cost

Best For

DIY materials only

$15–$40

Mild or early-stage infestations

Professional service (one-time)

$130–$300

Active infestations or when DIY has already failed

Ongoing service contract

$400–$800/yr

Prevention and long-term peace of mind

Costs vary by region, property size, and severity. Get at least two quotes before hiring.

✅ How to Know It's Working

Pest control success is measured in weeks, not days. Here's what to look for:

Week 1–2: You may see increased activity as pests are flushed from hiding. This is normal.

Week 2–4: Activity should drop noticeably. Bait traps or sticky monitors should show declining counts.

Week 4–6: New activity near zero. Any resurgence means a population was missed or re-introduction occurred.

💡 Monitoring tip: Place sticky traps in corners and along walls before you start treatment. Counting catches weekly gives you objective data on whether the population is declining.

👷 When to Call a Professional

DIY is appropriate for small, contained infestations caught early. Call a licensed professional when:

You've tried DIY twice with no lasting improvement

The infestation involves a wall void, crawlspace, or area you can't safely access

There's a health risk involved (hantavirus, anaphylaxis risk, etc.)

The problem covers more than one room or a large outdoor area

You have children, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals in the household

⚠️ Rule of thumb: If you've spent more on DIY materials than a professional visit would cost, it's time to call.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Texas A&M Two-Step Method?

Step 1: Broadcast a slow-acting bait across the entire yard at label rate. Step 2: Wait 7-10 days, then drench individual mounds that are still active with liquid insecticide. This eliminates both visible and hidden colonies across the property.

How often should I repeat the Two-Step Method?

University extension services recommend applying the Two-Step Method twice per year in spring and fall. Properties adjacent to untreated land may need a third application in midsummer.

Can I skip the broadcast step and just treat individual mounds?

Treating only visible mounds misses 50-80% of colonies in a typical yard. Many fire ant colonies have no visible mound, especially young colonies. The broadcast bait step reaches every colony, visible or not.

What bait should I use for the broadcast step?

Hydramethylnon (Amdro Pro), methoprene plus hydramethylnon (Extinguish Plus), or indoxacarb (Advion Fire Ant Bait) are the most effective broadcast options. Test by placing bait near a mound and checking if workers pick it up within 15-20 minutes.

How to Use the Texas A&M Two-Step Fire Ant Method

🧰 What You'll Need

📋 Steps

💡 Pro Tips

💰 Cost to Fix This Problem

✅ How to Know It's Working

👷 When to Call a Professional

❓ Frequently Asked Questions