 Fire ant baits can be applied at any time from April through mid-October. It may be a good idea to leave fire ant workers to defend their territory during the spring and early summer mating flights, then apply a bait in late June or early July. One successful strategy is to make two applications of bait each year, such as one application in early June and then a second application in late September or early October. Points to remember when applying baits include, use fresh baits. Baits left in unsealed bags or stored at high temperatures or more than two years old may have become rancid and unattractive to the ants. Ants are not attracted to wet baits, so keep baits dry. Apply them when the ground is dry and rain is not expected for at least 12 to 24 hours. Fire ant baits break down quickly once they are in the environment, so it is important to apply baits when ants are actively foraging. Ants generally look for food when air temperatures are between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit or at night during hot summer weather. Placing a small amount of bait or other greasy food such as a potato chip in the area to be treated can indicate if the ants are active. If they are seen removing the food in about 30 minutes, it is a good time to apply the bait. Fire ant baits have many advantages. They are easy to apply and can save money by saving time and labor cost. They can be used around environmentally sensitive areas such as ponds and landscapes. They work on colonies of all sizes and give relatively long lasting control.