I use Diatomaceous Earth(Food Grade) powder on the ant beds. Stir them up and sprinkle the powder. They will go crazy and die. This stuff is ground up fossil shells; and gets in their joints. Gardeners use it on their plants to kill pests. I also use it on the dog; the fleas die quick. It is not harmless if it is Food Grade.On the package it says "Used in most animal feeds and many consumer products." Hasn't hurt the dog yet
A lot of the potential answer to this question has to do with whether you want the grass or other foliage in the vicinity of the mound to die along with the ants. If you don't care or there is no grass at the mound, then boiling water is my preferred way. On the lawn, I use the fire ant killer granule stuff. But that's a chemical, and probably a pretty nasty one.
I've been using Bayer Fire Ant powder found in most Lowes stores, and it works extremely well. However, I am not certain it can be used without any issue to any other animal or reptiles. I have lots of Anoles, Lizards and Skinks and lots of Chipmunks as well as lots of squirrels and they have no problems with it. You could go online and research it out though. JMHO!
Ok, so we have to build a ant killer. Thinking a propane stand, pressure cooker. Need to make an injector that we can stab into the nest that would hook up to the blow off on the pressure cooker. Steam cook the little bustards.
Make the injector really long or they will scamper up the wand quicker than you can let go. Thousands of them!
When I was in Houston, my neighbor and I played the fire ant game. I would treat and the buggers moved next door. He would treat and they came back to my yard. I don't think we ever killed an ant, just kept them moving.
If you don't mind killing some grass and getting the EPA on your back pour some gas on the mound and light them suckers up! Yes, I have done that a few times with very good results.
I have heard a few guys take a shovel full from one mound and transfer it to another mound and via versa. Then the ant wars starts and they kill each other off. I have never tried this so I can't verify if truly works or not, but others says it does. :noidea: