[Ponds-Koi] Fireants at pondside

July 11, 2008 @ 8:19 pm · Filed under Philippines Internet Koi Society

Thanks for the suggestions. All seems OK with the fish so far. But my pond is almost entirely surrounded by fireants. Thanks, Liane, for the information about them being members of the wasp family - I didn’t know that, but it sure explains the painful bites. I don’t have systemic allergic reactions but terrible site reactions - my hands and feet/legs are scarred from old fireant bites. But since you mentioned bleach, today I got bit three times doing another water change, and I immediately stuck my hand in our freshly shocked overly chlorinated pool, and by golly, it helped! I also put some hydrocortisone on it quickly. There are at least 6 large nests of fireants on the waterfall end of the pond, plus smaller nests are popping up now all around the edge. I’ve poured boiling water on the nests since there is no way to use Amdro that close to the pond, plus my backyard is also owned by 4 dogs so I have to stay away from the chemicals. I have never had this much problem with fireants!! And I just got several nice new young 4-7″ butterfly Koi and can hardly get near the pond to enjoy them - I stand on the bench now to feed them - and they were just starting to come to me at the edge. I am going to get the D.E. tomorrow and try that. I just don’t want those fireants to harm my pretty new fish - the mounds are so near the edge, the ants are getting into the water regularly. Thanks to all for the advice. Linda