Protecting me from the ants but still look good

[LadyStitch]

Last spring on the last day of faire  I was badly attacked by fire ants just as I entered the faire.  As a real rennie trooper I took benadryl and kept at it.  All of the bites were on my feet, as I was wearing renissance Mocasins sandles.  Given the heat of the faire I like wearing them however this year I may be forced to wear boots.  My feet always sweat very badly when I do that.

Any suggestions on what I should do?  Chance the sandles, and madybe be bitten again?  Or wear the boots and get really hot?

Help!

[DonaCatalina]

Almost any insect repellant is going to wear off after a few hours.
Citronella oil is not recommended for prolonged contact with skin.
knee-high hose would work somewhat, but only offer minimal protection.
That pretty much leaves the boots.

[Dinobabe]

You could spray your feet with repellent all day.  I've done that before.
If you want to wear boots, buy wicking socks.  They will keep your feet much cooler.  I HIGHLY recommend Smartwool.  They are super cushy.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/CAMOmnifindQueryCmd?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1&searchKeywords=smartwool&searchCategory=search&ip_state=&ip_constrain=&ip_navtype=search&pageSize=24&currentPage=1&ip_sortBy=&priceFilter=&catFilter=&manNameFilter=&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&filters=

[gem]

Well, I'd start by contacting Fair management to see if they have any plans in place to deal with the ants. I'm sure you weren't their only victim!  I know fire ants are more or less endemic to Texas, but there has to be *something* that can be done to manage the threat on site.

[isabelladangelo]

Ditto Gem.   This is a problem with the Faire, not with you. 

I'd contact them and see if they plan on using any sort of repellent or treating the grounds before the humans invade.   Fire ants are nasty lil buggers and I know there are some temporary solutions to the problem that work.  Since most faires are seasonal, temporary solutions are perfect!

[LadyStitch]

To be honest they didn't have fire ant problems until the very last weekend.  It was due to all the rain we had, and summer was in full swing.  I just don't want to have to walk all through the faire with ankles the size of grapefruits again. 

I'll look into the temporary sprays, just to be on the safe side.  Besides this year we have a season pass so we are parking in the "good" area.

[shadowcat546]

Hi. aw, dang. ant trouble sound depressing.  hope it gets cleared up.  Haven't had that trouble yet, as I'm in Michigan.  would it sound weird if I suggested that maybe management consider  a "green" method...like some type of lizard who would eat lots of the fire ants? (a natural predator?)  I'm sure it would be cheaper for Mgmt of Faire to just drop those anti-fire ant granules by spreader.
good luck.  __Shannon

[gem]

Shadow, I have to admit, my first thought was, "Anteater?" LOL

[Trillium]

The only suggestion I can give is to watch where you walk and stick to the main paths.  I almost always wear sandals to fair, unless its cold, and just watch where I go, especially when you get close to trees and benches.  Just a way of life in Texas!

[Ian Maxwell]

Trillium's signature has a good suggestion. Faerie Dust! 

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Just out of curiosity.....

We'll be attending Rendezvous at Scarby.  We've never been to Texas.  Should we expect fire ants there at that time?

Thanks.

[Trillium]

Trillium's signature has a good suggestion. Faerie Dust! 

Be careful what you do with that dust!! You could end up with monster ants!

And Lady Renee, yes there is always a possibility of fire ants in Texas.  Just watch out for what looks like a small mound of dirt. Or odd spots that others seem to step around...

[DonaCatalina]

Just out of curiosity.....

We'll be attending Rendezvous at Scarby.  We've never been to Texas.  Should we expect fire ants there at that time?

Thanks.

No, not inside the Faire. The groundskeepers do a good job of keeping the grounds inside free of ants. You might run into the occasional mound in the parking lot, especially after a rain. You wil notice that no one parks in a particular spot to keep from disturbing the little demons.

[Anna Iram]

Or perhaps just elevate yourself above them?   


http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/exhibitions/on_a_pedestal/index.shtml


I think the best advice is to wear your sandles and keep an eye out. We have them all over Florida, and it's rare that I step into one now as I know what to look for.

[Lady Catherine]

hi!

we have them bad in TN and GA in the summer too!!! and, as a person with bad visio, I have had my fair share of not seeing the mounds till it was WAAAAYYY too late!     

might i suggest Deep Woods Off as the spray, i know we have used it in some problem area re-enactments, where hte whole battlefield was eaten up!

[Anna Iram]

A little searching found that fabric softner sheets

http://www.ehow.com/how_5396283_repel-mosquitoes-bees-ants-mice.html


and the oils from the crushed Beautyberry leaf

http://www.ehow.com/how_5182496_repel-ticks-fire-ants-beautyberry.html


repel fireants etc. Might be interesting to try.

[Dinobabe]

I keep fabric sheets in my desk to ward off the cockroaches.  YUCK!

[Leneas Distara]

During my undergrad I had the chance to work in a research lab with millions of fire ants (Solenopsis Invicta). We had to handle them for hours at a time, for us rather than exposing ourselves to chemical pesticides, the thing that worked best for us was simple talc powder. They despise it, it clogs their lungs, and once one becomes affected they communicate in a pheromonal way to stay away. I know with faire one can sweat a lot, but it would be worth a shot. Also keep an eye on the ground, red ant nests are distinct and are normally near water.

Picture of invicta nest can be found here

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/ants/RIFA_nest_12.htm

[LadyStitch]

When I was out there for preview weekend there were many mounds I mistook for just dirt clods.  Then again there has been alot of rain lately.  I'll keep the talc powder in mind.   

[Leneas Distara]

  Would it sound weird if I suggested that maybe management consider  a "green" method...like some type of lizard who would eat lots of the fire ants? (a natural predator?)  I'm sure it would be cheaper for Mgmt of Faire to just drop those anti-fire ant granules by spreader.

I would actually love to see this happen, as of right now the research is still ongoing. Introducing a predator species can be a good management method, but also a very dangerous one for the stability of the ecosystem. Not that the Faire is huge, but ya never know. The possibility of integrated pest management is great, just a bit more research and we should have it. The imported fire ant is a serious problem, even to the point of wiping out other native and endemic species, and it would be awful to ignore. The most likely solution for the faire would be to lay down pellets and hope for the best. These are the reasons Environmental Scientists drink so much! 

[Adriana Rose]

I am in Colorado and I havent had the er annoyance of fire ants but I do know that bugs REALLY dont like the smell or taste of Lavender oil, Citronella or Tea Tree.

Put a tad of the oil on your ankles to prevent the icky bites.

Or go for boots to protect the tender bits

[Butch]

When I went into the "field", I used to spray DEET onto my cammies and boots, and allow it to dry.  It acted as a repellant to insects.  I'm not sure how it would affect fire ants.  You should be able to find it in the camping section of your WalMart.

A good way to wipe out ant colonies (including fire ants) is to lay down instant grits or corn meal for them to take home.  The ants ingest this, and then when they drink (yes, ants drink water) the grits/corn meal expands and destroys the ants (SEVERE indigestion).  Gotta do this when it's dry outside, or reapply after you do get moisture.  Put a big pile of it around the mounds, and along trails.

Good luck!

[Dinobabe]

A good way to wipe out ant colonies (including fire ants) is to lay down instant grits or corn meal for them to take home.  The ants ingest this, and then when they drink (yes, ants drink water) the grits/corn meal expands and destroys the ants (SEVERE indigestion).  Gotta do this when it's dry outside, or reapply after you do get moisture.  Put a big pile of it around the mounds, and along trails.

Good luck!

Huh!  I didn't know that.

I always suggest joining a cannon crew.  Exploded gun powder works great!!!

[Rani Zemirah]

Lady Stitch, you might consider a product like New Skin.  It's for covering wounds and it forms a waterproof barrier covering wherever it is sprayed.  You could spray both of your feet, and I'm willing to bet the ants won't want to bite the stuff...