Thanks for the tips everyone. I didn't even realize this was a thing until I got attacked and had a bunch of welts on my ankles. You live and you learn I suppose.... lol
On the bright side, you wont be dealing with much snow.
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Thanks for the tips everyone. I didn't even realize this was a thing until I got attacked and had a bunch of welts on my ankles. You live and you learn I suppose.... lol
Sometimes small mounds are hidden in long grass. The first giveaway that you've stepped on a fire ant mound is the ground under your foot feels spongy or soft. I've gotten to where as soon as my foot starts to sink even slightly I instinctively leap to the side. There's not much of a lag time before they swarm you but you do get about a full second.
On the bright side, you wont be dealing with much snow.
Observations from the last day of USDGC:
... discovered that I was standing directly on top of a fire ant mound and went into panicky flicking them off mode, as discreetly as I could. I had to take my shoes and socks off so if you see a goofy guy in a red hat and bare feet on the side of the fairway during the lead card's final round, that was me.
Followed the next 2 holes barefoot, that got some looks.
Bro D recently encountered with them whilst spectating at the USDGC:
Thanks for the tips everyone. I didn't even realize this was a thing until I got attacked and had a bunch of welts on my ankles. You live and you learn I suppose.... lol
I'm obsessed with knocking the top off of fire ant mounds while visiting the south. It's just unbelievable to see thousands of them poor out and move so erratically. I always think about how bad it would be if your foot was there.
I remember watching a TV story about a deer hunter who fell out of his stand and landed on a mound. If I recall correctly he was barely saved in time (Broke something and could not move)
Neat
There are stories, myths? about cows being killed by fire ants. There's apparently a new breed, crazy ants? coming that are supposed to be worse.
I'm obsessed with knocking the top off of fire ant mounds while visiting the south. It's just unbelievable to see thousands of them poor out and move so erratically. I always think about how bad it would be if your foot was there.
I remember watching a TV story about a deer hunter who fell out of his stand and landed on a mound. If I recall correctly he was barely saved in time (Broke something and could not move)
Neat
Another private course in Louisburg was having fire ant issues until til the owner poured diesel on them. He did not even light them. Fire ants must really hate diesel because they were still gone 2 weeks after the treatment.
What's the fun in that?!?
I live in Florida and think balancing your bag on a stool works the best
On the course, you can only watch. At home, use bait. Poison works, but the bait is literally 100%. I live in Houston. Andro. Gasoline and match works pretty well, but only if your wife doesn't see and they ain't near the house.
Here's a really interesting observation. Ten years ago, the number of fire ant piles in my yard was always greater than ten at any given time. Today, it is virtually zero. I see almost none on the course. Not zero, just way fewer. I don't think it is eradication. It could be global warming, or at least the hoax about global warming, or some other factor, but the change in piles is real. I've also seen a shift in weed types in my garden over the past ten years with different species coming and going.
In Texas we all walk with our head down. Certainly not from being humble in general, but from being humbled by fire ants and all the other critters we have down here. It will soon be a habit.