We have some mounds of sand in between the bricks on our brick patio and I know they are pavement ants and have put out bait for them (which they do not seem to be taking to at the moment- perhaps the heat) and hubby saw a couple of red ants on the edge of the patio by the mulch. He said they were about 1/4 inch big - a little bigger than the tiny pavement ants and looked kind of translucent. I am worried they may be fire ants and wonder if anyone knows if they have reached Massachusetts yet and what they look like. I am allergic to chemicals and trying to get the patio in working order for the grandkids.

Please if anyone could help and let me know your thoughts. Right now I have an Ant Pro feeding station out with a boric acid mix that is supposed to be for sweet and protein loving ants - kind of a honeydew formula I think - Gourmet Ant Bait.

Thank you for any input.