Protecting me from the ants but still look good

[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...