Properly identifying the ant species is the first step in determining whether and how to control them (see Fire Ant Biology and Identification). No management is an option that should be considered in areas where imported fire ants are not present or are present in very low numbers and do not pose a problem. Most management options require repeated treatments to maintain control, requiring a commitment to continued labor and expense. In the following sections are options for managing various kinds of imported fire ant problems. There may be other effective methods not mentioned. There is rarely a single best method of control.
