Wizzie Brown, integrated pest management specialist for AgriLife Extension in Texas, has been scientifically testing alternative, non-chemical means to control fire ants, including the use of club soda, coffee grounds, aspartame, molasses, Epsom salts, orange juice, cola, and cinnamon -- but so far none have seemed to work.

“There’s a lot of misinformation about home fire ant control out there,” Brown said. “And while it’s important to be environmentally responsible and minimize the use of chemicals that may also kill beneficial insects, harm pets or possibly enter the water table, the thoughtful, careful use of commercial pesticides specifically labeled for control is probably still your best defense against them.”

In the near future, she and her colleagues will also test cayenne pepper, oak ash, cornmeal, urine, and others substances, and the results will be posted to the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project website.

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