Editing Red imported fire ant (section)

===Control===
In comparison to other ant species like ''[[Anoplolepis gracilipes]]'', which rapidly take over areas they have been contained in, red imported fire ants are fairly easy to control.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Elliot|first1=D.|title="Crazy Ants" swarming in southeastern states|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/crazy-ants-swarming-in-southeastern-states/|access-date=22 November 2016|work=CBS News|date=1 July 2013}}</ref> The first proposals to controlling the ant occurred in 1957 when the [[United States Congress]] authorised an eradication program using federal and state funding. Research on the ant and its biology has been continuous after the establishment of an eradication program, and many chemicals were used to eliminate them. However, scientists discovered that these insecticides were killing native fauna, and the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]] subsequently outlawed them. Some scientists even questioned whether the ants were pests or not.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lofgren|first1=C.S.|last2=Banks|first2=W.A.|last3=Glancey|first3=B.M.|title=Biology and control of imported fire ants|journal=Annual Review of Entomology|date=1975|volume=20|issue=1|pages=1–30|doi=10.1146/annurev.en.20.010175.000245|pmid=1090234}}</ref>{{sfn|Buhs|2005|pp=1–2}} Today, it is unlikely that the red imported fire ant will be eradicated in areas such as the United States. Populations can be managed properly if an integrated approach is used.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Williams|first1=D.F.|last2=deShazo|first2=R.D.|title=Biological control of fire ants: an update on new techniques|journal=Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology|date=2004|volume=93|issue=1|pages=15–22|doi=10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61442-1|pmid=15281467}}</ref> Some scientists have considered using the ants' natural enemies against it; this includes ''[[Kneallhazia solenopsae]]'' and ''[[Beauveria bassiana|B. bassiana]]''. Phorid flies have also been viewed as potential biological agents, as they can reduce foraging activity in red imported fire ants and affect population levels. However, they are unable to affect colony growth rate.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mottern|first1=J.L|last2=Heinz|first2=K.M|last3=Ode|first3=P.J|title=Evaluating biological control of fire ants using phorid flies: effects on competitive interactions|journal=Biological Control|date=2004|volume=30|issue=3|pages=566–583|doi=10.1016/j.biocontrol.2004.02.006|bibcode=2004BiolC..30..566M }}</ref> In addition, parasitic ants, parasitic wasps, mites, other pathogens, nematodes, and fungi have been considered to be potential biological agents.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Drees|first1=B.M.|last2=Puckett|first2=R.|title=Potential Biological Control Agents for the Red Imported Fire Ant|url=http://fireant.tamu.edu/files/2014/03/ENTO_008.pdf|work=Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project|publisher=Texas A&M University|access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref> Others suggest that populations can be maintained or reduced by manipulating several ecological factors.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Buren|first1=W.F.|last2=Allen|first2=G.E.|last3=Williams|first3=R.N.|title=Approaches toward possible pest management of the imported fire ants|journal=Bulletin of the Entomological Society of America|date=1978|volume=24|issue=4|pages=418–421|doi=10.1093/besa/24.4.418|doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[File:Bait used against S. invicta.jpg|thumb|Bait used against the ant]]

Several baits have been used to control populations. Mounds are destroyed in a matter of weeks if baits are used on them. Baits are considered to be effective and simple to use against red imported fire ants, in comparison to drenching, dusting, or fumigating. They are sprinkled onto the mound then the ants take and consume them.<ref name="NPS_2010">{{cite web|title=Integrated Pest Management Manual: Fireants|url=http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/ipm/manual/fireants.cfm|work=National Park Service|publisher=United States Department of the Interior|date=2010|access-date=21 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922170548/http://www.nature.nps.gov/biology/ipm/manual/fireants.cfm|archive-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Bonnefoy|first1=X.|last2=Kampen|first2=H.|last3=Sweeney|first3=K.|title=Public Health Significance of Urban Pests|url=https://archive.org/details/publichealthsign00bonn|date=2008|publisher=World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe|location=Copenhagen, Denmark|isbn=978-92-890-7188-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/publichealthsign00bonn/page/n103 193]}}</ref> Certain baits such as growth regulator baits, and boric acid-sucrose water baits, benefit native fauna and low concentrations are usually required to kill a colony.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Calixto|first1=A.A.|last2=Harris|first2=M.K.|last3=Knutson|first3=A.|last4=Barr|first4=C.L.|title=Native ant responses to ''Solenopsis invicta'' Buren reduction using broadcast baits|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_environmental-entomology_2007-10_36_5/page/1112|journal=Environmental Entomology|date=2007|volume=36|issue=5|pages=1112–1123|doi=10.1603/0046-225X(2007)36[1112:NARTSI]2.0.CO;2|pmid=18284735|s2cid=42073024 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Klotz|first1=J.H.|last2=Vail|first2=K.M.|last3=Willams|first3=D.F.|title=Toxicity of a boric acid-sucrose water bait to ''Solenopsis invicta'' (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_journal-of-economic-entomology_1997-04_90_2/page/488|journal=Journal of Economic Entomology|date=1997|volume=90|issue=2|pages=488–491|doi=10.1093/jee/90.2.488|doi-access=free}}</ref> Others baits used against red imported fire ants include [[Amdro]], Ascend, [[hydramethylnon]], [[indoxacarb]], and Maxforce.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Benson|first1=E.P.|last2=Zungoli|first2=P.A.|last3=Riley|first3=M.B.|title=Effects of contaminants on bait acceptance by ''Solenopsis invicta'' (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_journal-of-economic-entomology_2003-02_96_1/page/n99|journal=Journal of Economic Entomology|date=2003|volume=96|issue=1|pages=94–97|doi=10.1093/jee/96.1.94|pmid=12650350}}</ref>

Solid and liquid bait insecticides, if improperly applied in a location, may be moved through waterflow in to waterways. As snow melts and rainfall moves over and through the ground, the water picks up improperly applied insecticides and deposits them in to larger bodies of water such as rivers and wetlands, or percolates in to watersheds.

Researchers have also been experimenting with other methods, such as fumigation, injecting the mound, mound drenching, and surface dusting. Mound drenching entails pouring large volumes of toxic liquid into the mound. While this may affect a large portion of the mound, it is possible it may not reach the queen, thus preventing the destruction of the colony. Surface dusting is similar to mound drenching, except insecticides are applied on top of the mound and soak into the soil when wet. Mound injections use pressurising and injecting insecticides into the mound, but the queen may not be affected by this. Mounds can be eliminated effectively through fumigation. Broadcast treatment is sometimes used by spraying infected areas with agricultural equipment. Finally, spot treatment with insecticides can be used by drilling and injecting the mound with residual insecticide.<ref name="FC-RIFA"/><ref name="NPS_2010"/>

Aside from chemical control, other methods that can be employed against these ants include mechanical and electrical devices. However, it is unknown whether or not these devices are effective. Ant-proofing can be effective against colonies nesting inside buildings by caulking and sealing cracks, which successfully suppresses the population outside the walls. Homeowners have used their own methods to remove mounds by pouring boiling water on them or igniting them with flammable liquids. Although these methods may be effective, they are not recommended because they can be harmful to humans and the environment.<ref name="FC-RIFA"/><ref name="NPS_2010"/>