What is the best kid & pet friendly DIY way to get rid of fire ants?

Apply food grade diatomaceous earth

Find another mound of fire ants in the area and take a shovel full from each nest and switch them to the other nest, (be quick and it helps to have two people with shovels) ants will defend their nest to the last. This has worked in Mississippi for years.

Diatomacious (SP?) Earth is a safe product & takes care of fireants, ticks, fleas, etc. I put it out once a year and that's it! Only caution is to avoid inhaling it - use those cheap paper mowing masks to protect your mouth/nose. Not a pesticide but finely ground sea shells -

I have used aspartame artificial sweetener with success. Empty four or five little packets onto the entrance of the mound or pour a diet drink down the hole. My pets aren't attracted to it and it seems to work.

Hi Shirley, hope this helps. Although diatomaceous earth can be used indoors, it is best used outdoors to kill red ants. This silica is a non poisonous way to trap and kill red ants pver larger areas of your garden as it is not damaging to plant life.

Spreading this gritty powder traps ants and lacerated with bodies, drawing out the moisture to dehydrate and eventually kill them. As this powder is an irritant, make sure to avoid breathing the powder in or getting it on your skin by wearing a mask and gloves as you apply it.