Pouring Boiling Water Onto a Fire Ant Nest

I had to pour boiling water over an aggressive, stinging fire ant nest. The result was heart-stopping! This was an act to help save the native ant colonies in my yard, since fire ants are invasive in my country, as they are in most parts of the world. Senior myrmecologists (scientists who study ants) recommend people with fire ant problems pour boiling water over an ant nest to kill them. So, I gave it a try. Hope you enjoy this week's video! Ant love forever! This video was shot in 4K Ultra HD resolution. #Antopia
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[@AntsCanada]

Dearest Ant Lovers/AC Family, this was one of the hardest videos I've ever had to make in my whole life! Please let me know if you think we did the right thing by doing this. Also, hope you can remember to hit LIKE, SHARE the video, and SUSBCRIBE (hit the BELL and select ALL for Notification Squad) to the channel to join our ever-growing AC Family! Ant love forever! I need a hug!

[@Radiator_07]

Keep up the good work! What you did was good.

[@Reetybird]

You did what you had to do, friend!

[@ok-xx5pk]

RIP fire ants

[@ashg1587]

Untamed growth vs contained growth

[@spookynuts7122]

R.I.P invasive Fire Ant

[@darthasthma7953]

Imagine being this guy’s neighbor and hearing him sobbing while seeing him pour water on dirt.

[@caliber5602]

The mental image of this has me bursting out laughing lmfao

[@darthasthma7953]

@@caliber5602 it’s especially funny if they don’t know what he does for a living

[@fasyasaali3827]

Ok that's actually kinda funny

[@OG-Capo---]

🤣

[@karhanen2]

LMAO XD

[@knight838_]

Part of conservation is removing things harmful to the environment. There is no reason to be down about conservation.

[@FatesxofxthexDead]

Not even just that, part of conservation is the balance in the environment. If a local species has a population explosion that can destroy parts of or the whole environment.

[@knight838_]

@@FatesxofxthexDead yes, and that is why conservation is so important

[@nevadav2400]

I think it's okay to be down about having to kill them, but definitely a plus for conservation to the environment

[@FatesxofxthexDead]

@@knight838_ that's why I think it's smart to study conservation, a lot of facts tend to be ironic for people, like controlled burning in forests

[@eshkarri556]

@@FatesxofxthexDead what happened to his phoenix ant colony

[@KillerMoth3]

*Meanwhile in an alternative universe* "Today my fellow ant homies I am going to pour boiling water on this tiny human colony"

[@idontneedthis66]

The irony of burning "fire" ants is not lost on me...

[@isthisnametaken978]

Burning them with water

[@knobjob2839]

There is a big difference between a pet colony and environmental destruction. You're doing it to save the native ants, you're not killing the invasive ones for sport. You're fine, AC.

[@Iamlurking504]

Still would have been fun to blow them up.

[@epepepexedd]

@@Iamlurking504 sounds american

[@refugeehugsforfree4151]

exactly it's not like he's a kid with a magnifying glass. it's for nature itself that he is doing this.

[@carsoncreel2924]

You are correct!

[@afroborilafemme]

I totally agree. This was hard to watch, but it was for the better of the native species.

[@JakeAlexanderMurray123]

You really know how to turn a 40-second video into a 14-minute documentary.

[@M.P.4.18]

Preach

[@noahbenadisease5472]

That’s good though

[@Seraph89_]

I’d rather watch this.

[@youknowwhat1352]

for real like he should’ve just made this a youtube short

[@desireeandjoelmcdonnell6353]

this is so true

[@irane-ron4268]

The first ant war with air support

[@lancelover789]

Xd

[@Codester2023]

Dumps boiling water repeatedly over ant colony Return: “ I was shocked to see piles of corpses “

[@BrutalSkorpio]

“Mercy to an enemy cannot come at the cost of mercy for their victims” This video has a message and I love it. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made.

[@francisugorji757]

That’s an amazing quote, do you know who it originates from?

[@jeremydalebeck]

@@francisugorji757 Destiny? google has it as a quote from the game. It gave me goosebumps reading it.

[@DarkMan307]

another old sayiung also goes "The only mercyful war is a quick one" the invasive ants will wage a decades long war on the native ants, and providing food and support for the natives will only prolong it and give them a better chance to kill on our behalf, and they might still lose at the end. since the invasives got there because of us it is kinda our responcibility to help the natives fend them off and whichever way ends it the quickest will be the one where the least amount of overall ants have to suffer

[@GreenLeaf0034]

Yes sacrifices must be made even if it is to destroy these wonderful fire ants witch i love watching them thrive T^T

[@Drpaper1]

Im was here 3 years ago

[@ayounglad7304]

Bruh I came to see ants suffer and then he made me became aware of the significance of life.

[@ryansamuelshiju6355]

:D --> D:

[@FA-sr6lx]

Ong

[@treti3919]

Same-

[@aaronreed8791]

yea i came to watch ants burn and now i just feel bad.

[@Decypha77]

Bruh. I paused 28 seconds into it.

[@zombie-process7025]

Having lived near fire ants, they can be very, very dangerous. Having to dispose of them is sad, but it is often times VERY necessary, especially if you have pets or children.

[@Mombierella]

We live in Texas and they are very dangerous and destructive here.

[@cocacolaowo318]

Respect to the one ant that tried to pick up his comrades.

[@Teuvide]

I feel so bad for this guy. He loves ants and clearly this was extremely difficult for him. But this was definitely the best option, even if it was really difficult to decide and do.

[@mr.t-bagyou3529]

I really like this guy and his channel but he should be embarrassed at how sensitive he is.

[@NeoDarkness]

@@mr.t-bagyou3529 embarrassed? Bro life is still life, doesnt matter what form its still alive.

[@mr.t-bagyou3529]

@@NeoDarkness nah its pretty cringe, I don't expect someone with a cringe name like neodarkness to be able to see it, for all of the adult on the other hand, 72% to be precise, wanted to see them boil alive.

[@NeoDarkness]

@@mr.t-bagyou3529 yeah ok "mr. T-bag you" the only thing you t bagging is the floor because thats all you getting

[@NeoDarkness]

@@mr.t-bagyou3529 but yeah im not mad he boiled the ants, you do what you have to do to get rid of invasive species

[@konac7191]

There's a big difference between senseless killing and ecological conservation. You're doing the right thing, even if it was a dark day's work

[@OD.xi11]

A darc… nigga they ants

[@kishwarnishat8355]

I have been in this yt channel form the start I feel sad to see this but my gut feeling is saying that this must happen and all the ants will go to heaven bc God planned for ants to attack other ants but some ants are different in good and bad both good and bad will go to heaven bc God planned this

[@whatamistudio2557]

@@kishwarnishat8355 it's for the best to protect the environment

[@irvingbrown2389]

Unfortunately by boiling one colony of fire ants isn’t environmental conservation, it’s bending to the bending to the will of your subscribers. Fire ants are far to great in numbers and they are there to stay. Unless Mikey is prepared to keep killing colonies the rest of the time he lives there , they will just keep coming. That property is surrounded by 100,s if not thousands of acres, all have 100,s if not thousands of colonies of fire ants. It’s almost like that kid with the magnifying glass killing ants one at a time. Yeah he’ll kill several but it won’t effect the colony of ants they came from, they will have several more new ants to replace them within the hour. Just like the fire ants which lets not forget just because there was boiling water poured on that colony doesn’t mean that colony is gone. If the queen didn’t die, the colony lives, so it was a gamble to begin with. The colony could have been dug up and destroyed or relocated or kept by another ant enthusiast who would care for them. I know all intentions were good and had well meaning but the truth is, it did nothing but boil several thousand ants and probably fed another colony of fire ants with all the dead.

[@TheOutlander82]

shame more ppldon't think like that i could walk aroud and kill

[@levitschetter5288]

Here's a tip: while the boiling water is effective, you can use molten metal (aluminum or tin or smthn is probably cheapest) and pour it straight down the hole, it will leave a cast of the best which would make great decor for an ant themed house and also would let you truly appreciate the extent of the colony

[@evolvedferal]

Yeah like to preserve their memory

[@its_lucky252]

imagine a higher being pours molten medal into our houses and keep the hardened medal to learn about us

[@asianinthetree8912]

@@its_lucky252 relatable

[@ballsbruh1565]

@@its_lucky252 this happened to me once. It was terrifying

[@ajsam2787]

Who would want to keep a memorial of something u burned alive

[@SapphireKaiAu]

I appreciate your empathy and divine masculinity. Many people don’t give a crap. I have had to do this because the fire ants were swarming into my home. I also was heart broken to pour the boiling water on them but inevitably it was the best solution. ✌🏽

[@cinnamonsugarcourtney6073]

Getting rid of invasive species is always better in the long run, especially considering that the balance between Native and Invasive has changed so dramatically. I'd like it if you could find some more of those invasive colonies like the Black Crazy Ants and even more Fire Ant colonies and poured water on them too.

[@arisadefazio7885]

Bow.

[@maxcovfefe]

I hope in the future Mikey will *PRESERVE* some of these invasive species nests for study to compare and contrast how different species construct their colonies. This can be done *with molten aluminum,* and they can be *useful for research as well as for decorations to sell/funding for the channel's projects.* It's heartbreaking to see all that natural construction simply ooze away while we so often hear Mikey in these videos saying he wishes he could see and study these tunnels and chambers in his terrariums. This coulda been such a nice opportunity for fire ant fans to see how they dig... I'd think terrarium builders would WANT to see the inside of all their hard work and dedication. Mikey designs ant homes to sell, so I expected he would want *to compare their different architecture styles between different species.* *Other Examples of How Preserving Nests Could Help AC:* Could AC's tower terrarium be designed to STACK to make more room as the colony grows, based on what we could learn from these underground ant-designed nests? Could he offer "fire ant nests" and "marauder ant nests" that offer what different species like depending on what he learns from preserving invasive nests? Blah, blah, *PRODUCT R&D?* Also, selling metal nests for decorations to help fund AC, but consider AC stamping and numbering each nest so it can be ID'd and used for research no matter where it ends up. Not only could they be used as gorgeous decorations for Antopia's physical location, but they could be auctioned or sold online to help fund this channel's many projects. Lastly, *JOBS:* If harvesting invasive nests proves to be a part of fundraising, it could pay for itself enough to allow Mikey to hire locals to do the work required to locate, flood, and dig up invasive nests throughout AC's property and neighboring areas. Locals may even consider this *CONSERVATION* effort enough of a charity for tax exemptions too. Hopefully the conservation part of this work could spread to raise awareness about handling invasive species around the globe!

[@LebronShaqthe2nd]

@@lewissaunders4108 ?

[@pitcherplant6155]

@@maxcovfefe Thats a cool idea I know nothing about if it would work or what other effects it could have, but that sounds like an interesting way to preserve these ant nests so its not complete destruction.

[@maxcovfefe]

@@pitcherplant6155 It can be a fun activity if you know what you're doing. I searched for a few YT examples; here are a few short videos showing how it's done: Casting a Fire Ant Colony: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3itY52Dj5Kal6s Texas Family Casting Anthills as a Hobby: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnPbmJVorr6kebc Ant Mega Structure Excavated in Cement: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnamdmpobZp6rrc (I think aluminum is still better for the environment because cement/concrete uses up a lot of sand, and there's a shortage of sand. But this Brazilian ant nest is HUGE and deserves to be seen! People will no doubt want to use Antopia this way, so Mikey may as well get ahead of it.)

[@khum6059]

Do not worry. It was for the greater good. (If you feel bad you could get another fire ant colony as a tribute to this one or something.)

[@bullymaguire632]

@Bruce I missed the part where that's my problem

[@taryllhanchard3978]

If this has anything to say about the world right now it’s that we’re fu@k$d

[@slushy4289]

Well said

[@Nivrek_14]

@Bruce so?

[@AD-ui6sk]

@@taryllhanchard3978 something comes up every year for people to say that

[@reginaldho5598]

If you ever pity the invasive ants, just remember they will never hesitate to kill and eat you

[@clarejennings5049]

This dude just made me get the feels about a bunch of wild fire ants along with a different outlook on life

[@MemeBoy001]

Sorry for your loss, the guilt and all: but deep down, we all know what would have happened if this was not done. Hopefully the natives will return and reestablish where they had lost.

[@dankmouse632]

@Bruce true, and unfortunately for me I never will 😔

[@skywatcher458]

@Bruce glance, dislike, reported for child abuse. aaand deleted from my watch history.

[@dr.doppeldecker3832]

Fire ants taking over as an invasive species still happens, no matter how many colonies this guy boils off. To think this is doing anything is ridiculous. Fire ants take over for a reason, they are just superior to most other ant species.

[@MemeBoy001]

@@dr.doppeldecker3832 oh... thanks! I mentioned this only for Antopia, not the entire region.

[@eshkarri556]

@@dr.doppeldecker3832 What happened to phoenix empire

[@Eliza-xd5ck]

I advocated for the destruction of invasive ants (especially fire ants) in Antopia, and I've been watching your channel for years, through the Fire Nation and Phoenix Empire. There's a concept in conservation, exemplified by No Take Zones in aquatic habitats, where if you're able to create a space where native species can safely breed without hunting/competition, the populations in a much wider area are bolstered. You're helping not just Antopia by doing this, but everywhere the olates raised and released by the native colonies you've given an extra help to end up

[@eshkarri556]

what happened to his phoenix ant colony

[@hunterrr9196]

@@eshkarri556 from what i remember they died out due to parasites... rip Phoenix Empire.

[@rubixcube9132]

@@hunterrr9196 not the Phoenix empire, the OG fire ants, the fire nation. They died out from parasites, and we just haven’t gotten an update on the Phoenix empire yet. I’m guessing we won’t get one for a while.

[@NatVirgo]

Who put them there?

[@rubixcube9132]

@@NatVirgo they most likely managed to just get in. Mites and other problems have done that before for the ant colony’s. It could have been from anywhere.

[@LiftUpYourEyes]

The fact that he loves ants makes it so much better when he's describing the destruction. I especially liked when he said "Just because we're killing them, doesn't mean we can't love them"

[@User-tn2cm]

call me a psycho, but i liked the part where the fire ants got burned up

[@bipolarchemist]

Seeing how quickly they took down the larger Asian Bullet Ant, I have to say you made the right call. Looking forward to seeing the new trees and shrubbery going in. How about planting a tree or large shrub at the site of each former fire ant nest as a way to mark and never forget the hard choices that sometimes have to be made to promote and encourage native biodiversity?

[@theMinecraftman87]

Very nice though

[@Silvercanth]

Putting up tributes to the bad guys after winning a war against them? He's in southeastern Asia not southeastern United States.

[@maxcovfefe]

It's a hard thing to watch, but I think the only thing Mikey got wrong in this situation was that he didn't *PRESERVE the nest* with molten aluminum for us to study its chambers and pathways. *I hope he considers preserving some invasive species nests in metal for study and comparison.* What a scientific WASTE to let all that careful construction simply ooze away in boiling water!!

[@bipolarchemist]

I definitely thought it. The one's that I have seen have been pretty amazing.

[@bipolarchemist]

Looking at it the wrong way, my dude. It isn't a tribute to the bad guys, it is a tribute to the senseless waste of life that will eventually lead to a better tomorrow. And there is a huge difference between erecting an effigy of said 'bad' guys and planting something that will be beneficial to the local fauna.

[@brubs4901]

I lived in a place where fire ants are native, and they spread pretty quickly, especially if their natural predators aren't around, it was a problem when they invaded houses, it was a serious problem when they invaded houses with pets and small children. If you didn't remove them, they would kill the native ants, fire ants can be beautiful and amazing but lets not forget they are brutal predators.

[@treflippa2]

Yep my worst experience as a kid was when fire ants killed my dog in the backyard. I guess when my dad let him outside he probably stumbled across a fire ant nest and they weren't too happy about it. I came home from school to let him back in the house like usual but he was already dead and just covered in them.

[@Faithwashere4563]

@@treflippa2 oh..im so sorry your poor doggo :(

[@calvindowney5272]

@@treflippa2 that sounds horrible i am so sorry for your loss

[@treflippa2]

@Failed Society well It's not necessarily that the ants themselves are super strong (which they are especially for their size) but it's more of the strength in numbers concept as once they get enough bodies on whatever they're attacking it's hard for the ants to lose at that point.

[@treflippa2]

@Failed Society And please don't let my story scare you or anyone else here for that matter. It really was just an example of nature being nature albeit an unfortunate one. My dad never really did the pest control stuff either so I have to guess that is the reason the fire ants were in our backyard to begin with. But now that I'm grown with wife, 2 kids and 3 dogs and ages removed from that incident. I have taken action in my homes pest control so nobody has to deal with ant bites or any other bugs.

[@ronburgundy4266]

8:45 you’re welcome. A bit over dramatic and hopefully he didn’t get any hot water on his Birkenstocks.

[@SuperPenguin5495]

8:25 This was a masterpiece of acting. The whole sequence with which you describe the end of the fire ants was legit grade A storytelling

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

*"I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened"* While sad, doing this was for the greater good of Antopia. The planet is filled with precious habitats and we must do whatever we can to keep them precious. As a saying in an infamous YT Rewind goes, *"I'm proud of this community"* for realizing this

[@CaedmonOS]

You somehow turned me from stoically sad to laughing out loud

[@axelreboot8475]

I would have said a million tiny voices to make it slightly more original, but it still works for this video lol

[@CrimsonRoblox]

How do u even make those words bold???? How did you do that?

[@kdavid2531]

Toilet. :)

[@luffysno.1fan702]

@@CrimsonRoblox use ** at the start and end of the words you wanna bold * like this * but without spaces cuz they have to touch the word at the start and end

[@ReaperEOD]

It's not their fault, but you're one of the few people aware of the problem and can therefore be one of the advocates to solve what humans have caused. Thank you for your fortitude.

[@jonathanblair5920]

As heart wrenching as that was to watch, I feel like that was the best solution. The natives were already in a desperate situation, and couldn't afford the time it would take to safely remove enough of the invasives to allow the natives to be able to compete again. How many unidentified species were lost permanently to the invasive onslaught? How many more were in danger of extinction within the immediate future? It's awful that this method was needed at all, but needed it was.

[@peteypete9357]

AC: "I must warn you this video can get very disturbing" Me: Thank you, that's EXACTLY why I'm here.

[@mka588]

😂

[@rajamallus9024]

I guess you can plant one plant for each ant colony you're going to kill, as it might help you heal from all the ants you've seen dying, plus it'll also help the ecosystem of your yard

[@user-cq8bu2yk6r]

Ok

[@aprilchan1323]

he's right, it also encourages bio decomposition and cycles nutrients for actual native populations.

[@golden_left_nut2260]

And they can be a home for other ants that aren't invasive

[@samsunguser3148]

native plants, aha..

[@prometheanrebel3838]

Plant a plant over each invasive nest destroyed, sort of like a gravemarker.

[@daemonember]

You can conserve if you don't handle the invasive. Fire ants aren't meant to be there. Over 70% of your audience understood that. If you can find the best of any other invasive such as the crazy ants you should honestly do the same.

[@ashleylala4293]

One thing that amazes me about life in this realm is that every single thing on this planet has someone that loves it, no matter how awful and undesirable that thing is. I loathe ants, they creep me out really bad because there’s so many of them and they are way more intelligent than they should be for their size. Lo and behold I discover this channel and here is a man who loves ants. I know there is also someone out there in this crazy world that loves cellulite, rotten fish, stinky feet and probably even bad breath and dandruff too. Everything has someone, somewhere that loves it. I myself am fascinated by parasites that infect humans. I’ve learned not to mention them though, because it’s a good way to loose friends. No one wants to hear that they probably have parasites or fungal overgrowth and don’t even know it.

[@Mombierella]

Ok ... Maybe the fire ants in Texas are different than other areas, but I have never heard of any one keeping them as pets. The fire ant stings are extremely painful and can be life-threatening if you are allergic to fire ant venom. But kudos on making this into an epic documentary style story. 👏 Well done

[@sarthakgupta290]

I just got bit by a fire ant in Texas. The sting was mildly painful. But the worst part was the damn uncontrollable full body itching that followed. My entire body was covered with hives. Hives on my back, abdomen, chest, shoulder, arms, legs. And my body was itching everywhere. I literally had to draw a bath of chilled water and stay there for an hour to stop myself from itching. The itching finally calmed down after 2 hours. Damn! And this was all due to just 1 fire ant! Damn!

[@Mombierella]

@@sarthakgupta290 yeah my daughter has had that multiple times especially when she was little and didn't like to wear shoes. They're horrible 😞

[@ettinakitten5047]

@@sarthakgupta290 That sounds like an allergic reaction IMO. My brother gets the same way whenever the lilacs bloom in our yard. We've been trying to kill this one bush for years but it keeps growing back.

[@Jamiesayla]

As much as this video surprised me, I do feel that you took the appropriate course of action. Also, you can accurately classify a species before taking any action. Not all environmental warriors are so informed.

[@knightofastora1324]

The right choice is not always the easiest, but sometimes the hardest one. Thank you for your conservation efforts.

[@SebastianWellsTL]

Invasive fire ants are causing huge problems for other native ants so it's good to see people taking action against them. Thank you for bringing awareness to this growing issue!

[@shakiellaachee7829]

Such a a captivating documentary of life when faced with an invasive species 😂🤩👏🏿👏🏿

[@meganclark-hutchings7464]

I’d love an update on whether this was enough to actually eradicate the colony. I tried this method to get rid of fire ants when I lived in TX, and while it depleted their numbers for a while, it definitely did not get rid of them

[@laurenmeyers7444]

Yeah you have to take out the queen to take out the colony. You can do that by feeding them borax mixed with sugar. They will feed it to the queen and kill her so they colony will collapse.

[@Newbtuber]

I wonder if he keep pouring hot water while heavily feeding the native, it might tip the population in favor of native

[@AmayaMaka]

@@Newbtuber I believe that's the hope.

[@maze2756]

@@laurenmeyers7444 thank you I have lots of ants living in my walls that i want gone,

[@pingyu5141]

@@Newbtuber it's what's supposed to be.. wipe out the invasives, for the natives to thrive on their own land.

[@neallong2480]

Thank you for listening. You did something that’s extremely hard. You did what’s best for the ecosystem. If you hadn’t done it you would be an accomplice to the fire ants. And I know you don’t want to hurt the native ants. Thank you for putting my comment in your video. The fact that you listen not only to your fans but also experts in their field SHOW that YOU are a person who can grow and do what is necessary for the overall survival of the native ants in your care. And jus because a species make a good pet doesn’t mean they are harmless to your ecosystem. I would love a pet snake but I wouldn’t want them to invade the place I call home and reek havoc on my ecosystem.

[@dustink8522]

Your ecosystem? 😂 nvm I get it

[@neallong2480]

@@dustink8522 yeah I tried to think of a synonym but couldn’t 🤷🏻

[@anonymousthesneaky220]

@@neallong2480 Oh well, your point gets across anyways, and, I agree with what you are saying. Still a funny analogy though.

[@mpgfan]

No he not

[@timy.9512]

Cats are the best example of this: don't keep them on islands, like NZ & Australia.

[@bigbluebuttonman1137]

I did this once because an ant colony was literally sitting on a place where a hose can be connected (and one was). Like, right next to the wood beam holding the pipe in place, practically fusing with it. We don't use it a lot, but...if it does need to be used, it really needed to go. I actually never checked up on it again after I boiled em, but it's probably a dead colony.

[@Upgradedtitancameraman322]

Give that fire ants a salute for bravery 😢

[@facelessfigure7985]

The preservation of native ant species is a must, but I do understand your guilt, AC. It was a necessity, but one of those "necessary evils" moments. You did the right thing.

[@REXPROSI]

THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS, THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING YOU HATE THAT THE FIRE ANTS DO

[@luci_datum]

@@REXPROSI For once, in this case, the ends do justify the means. Invasive ants are a huge issue, and you need to calm down and understand that the native ants of the area are now being given a better chance to thrive

[@megamushroom]

@@luci_datum ants = ants, we dont kill humanz so native primates can thrive, even if the city is taking away native forests, so dont kill ants.

[@luci_datum]

@@megamushroom You have no idea how invasive species work, do you?

[@megamushroom]

@@luci_datum i do know how it works 🙄 humanz are a invasive species but we dont go around killing them becouse the individuals are what matter, not the species. Why exactly should a native colony be morally worth more then fire ants besides "they are rare"? The awnser is there is none. Ants are ants and these ants fill the same niche.

[@tapwater3478]

You either die a hero or live long enough to become a villan.

[@VGamingJunkie]

Pouring boiling water over a nest, basically the ant equivalent of dropping a nuke. It can technically be considered chemical warfare.

[@roguemaverick11]

The fire ants shouldn't have bombed the harbor... Wait wrong war

[@Astroqualia]

Dudes editing is on point, for real. Hollywood needa hire you.

[@Tigermoto]

Films would be a week long!

[@GlorifiedGremlin]

I'm proud of this community. I thought the majority would be weenies and not want to do what ultimately is for the greater good. I loathe fire ants, they almost killed me as a kid, and even I felt bad watching this. But it's still the right thing to do. Invasive species should always be disposed of. Especially aggressive ones

[@kisscat74]

I appreciate your immense empathy for them. I've been tolerating and simply avoiding the fire ants on my property for almost a decade now. They've gotten to the point where I can't go anywhere without getting stung now. They're even all around my chickens, making it hard to do any cleaning or maintenance. We've just started flagging every nest we come across so we can find the queen and boil them out. I really feel bad doing this, but they're too invasive. The stings are so annoying. My dogs can't just roll around in the brush like dogs like to do because they come screaming into the house covered in stinging ants. I have to comb them out of the long hair like fleas. They have to go. I don't think I've seen a native ant in a few years now. It's total domination. It's time I take the yard back for the health and safety of the family and nature.

[@miramyth2971]

Damn. D: I wish you the best luck in finding the main nest(s) and taking back your yard!

[@SuperPhunThyme9]

They are really just replicating biological machines. We like to treat these creatures like they are sentient, but it important to understand that not everything is. I looked into all this one day, and basically the entire field of sentience science is almost unanimous that it goes no lower than reptiles. i.e. anything from amphibians and down really dont seem to have the brain components to allow it, as we understand it. This includes fish, insects, sharks, etc. (Octopii may be their own thing though.) If I remember right, about a third of this group thinks it doesn't start until mammals or maybe primates, and maybe another third at humans only. My main point is, however that I do remember none would consider insects sentient in any way. This means it's not about hurting any beings at all, but rather just respecting the ants like you would a plant or tree that is as old as the colony. (Or rare as whatever species it is).

[@hefoxed]

In reply to ant sentiment... For a while, people thought fish didn't feel pain because they feel it differently. While sounds like they don't have some of the systems we have that make us think, there are some things that science can't objectively fully conclude 😵‍💫 However, we're allowed to be selfish and decide that invasive species are bad and eliminate them whether they are able to have emotions or not. I just ate pork, thou pigs are smart animal, they are delicious and makes me happy. They're also allowed to kill us if they can :/ If got metal skills, I've seen people use metal to kill the nests and make artwork out of it. It's making something out of the horror I'd having to kill them.

[@TCG9777]

Empathy? Ants are indifferent to you

[@Smokyquartz98]

@@SuperPhunThyme9 this is all just speculation. Sentience can't be determined scientifically (at least with our current technology).

[@PlaneTen9245]

Wasn't here for phenix nation but was here for the fire nation

[@therainman7777]

Dude, they’re just ants.

[@redbeard81]

It sucks to have to wipe a colony out, but to protect the native ants it had to be done. Just like pythons in the Florida that are wrecking the ecosystem there and are now being hunted. It's just something that needed to be done.

[@eshkarri556]

How did his phoenix empire die

[@khairallahdh]

@@eshkarri556 it hasn’t to my knowledge. It was just too big to transport safely to the new house so he gave it to someone in his apartment that could keep it. The fire nation died either due to the age of the queen or from mites. Wasn’t totally clear.

[@godzillatoons3947]

We must Frankenstein up super predators to hunt and kill the burmese pythons. This super predator must be able to be large enough that the pythons won't be able to kill it, but must also generate it's own food so it won't run out.

[@meowthekitty321]

@@godzillatoons3947 Do you mean like people should create an animal in a lab, or create something more like a robot to kill the Burmese Pythons?

[@godzillatoons3947]

@@meowthekitty321 only the ones in Florida. And, I didn't say robot. If it is a robot, it might turn on humanity Skynet style. Basically, I mean an animal that can live off of Burmese pythons as well as the sun. That way, it'll never run out of food.

[@marywallace3620]

I was there when you had the Fire Nation and the Phoenix Empire. and it's okay to feel bad about killing those wild fire ants, but take heart knowing that you're saving the native/local ant colonies of the area.

[@k.y.6148]

We have to do what little we can do to reverse the scourge of species introduced where they shouldn't be.

[@Johnny2Feathers]

Makes sense that boiling water will put out fire ants

[@Spectarium]

on that poll I was there for 15 minutes before finally deciding to click the boiling water as I was hesitant to see harm done to any ants, but I decided that this was the best option even though it was painful to choose

[@danchase859]

I think few of us took this option lightly. While ants may not be as easily loved as dogs, cats, or more conventionally sympathetic animals, they are still living things. I for one take no joy in their deaths or suffering. This was the right choice, if a painful one.

[@nathantorres8352]

u looked at a youtube poll for 15 min 😭

[@silasnoyes1]

I'm sorry I'm commenting this too late,but you might be able to use lemon water on the other invasive colony's. What you did by going out of your comfort zone and killing by boil for the greater good is amazing. I respect you Mikey Bustos

[@Winterborn5]

I'm reminded of a quote from Patch Adams. " Don't focus on the fingers. Look at Me. If you focus on the problem, you can't see the solution."

[@brad4058]

Wow, now that's a creative way to get rid of ants. I have never thought of doing this and sometimes get annoyed with ants in my room but tolerate them cuz I had no way of killing them completely. Interestingly enough that I learn this technique from a channel that is about raising ant colonies and having them flourish. Color me surprised.

[@black.7381]

8:42 is when he throws the wotah to them

[@Youtuberemovesallmycomments]

8:51 is when the boiling starts

[@HommeChampignonne]

Imagine having to pour boiling water on fire ants in your backyard is one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to do. Must be quite a nice life huh

[@Susan-pn3dk]

hahaha

[@LukeSmoke]

you like that chucklenuts?

[@Venothor90]

While it’s hard to go through with these types of actions, you are 100% right in the realization that these is an act of preservation for the native species.

[@eevieerosee]

I'd really recommend watching the full video, but for those who are just here for the pour, it starts at 8:34

[@farahsafi5291]

GOAT

[@FinerStuff]

Thank you.

[@jay8551]

🐐

[@JenB1210]

Bro I wonder how many levels he got

[@sallyparty1978]

Ty

[@M5TABBYCAT]

"Just because we are killing then doesn't mean we dont love them!" Thats humanity right there.

[@faustoutloud]

As I would have poured the Hot Water onto the Fire Ants I would have screamed "You Shall Not Pass" 😂.

[@supernoot7334]

I used to like messing with ants when I was younger. I even poured water into nests sometimes in my yard to see what they would do. It was never boiling water though. As an adult and because of this channel I've come to appreciate ants and always respect them. I'm sure this will save lots of ant lives later on

[@Jack-mt3fw]

“Kids are cruel Jack.”

[@orangecoolcatever]

They would die, they would panic, it's like your house being burnt down, how would they react?lmak

[@WikkyPlays]

I used to make my pet rabbit do backflips don't worry what you did wasn't that cruel. I feel really bad for doing it... As an adult

[@jenifferbaeza1975]

7:42 "these innocent lives" a few seconds ago *kills a bullet ant that just wants to help its colony*

[@youfarted]

bro said its less cruel to kill something before feeding it to ants then he did this💀

[@Meethejarate]

It’s for the greater good

[@ronnieeaton5514]

This dude got 1.5 million people to watch a 14 minute video about pouring hot water on ants. Genius.

[@Kujar3Player]

I never had any deep connection to ants, they were a nuisance more often than not, but this channel, over the years, made me warm up to them. I wouldn't want to keep my own ants but I get really invested in the colonies on this channel. And now, seeing this video, I know I wouldn't think twice about doing this myself, if I felt like it's necessary, but I couldn't help but feel really sorry for the ants in the video. They're still living creatures and you described it well in the video. Be that as it may, it had to be done.

[@self-righteousideologue9398]

Do you think one pot will be enough? I would have probably done a few to be safe. A meter underground is a long ways, especially considering the soil will absorb a lot of the water and heat

[@AntsCanada]

Yeah, I think you're right. I did 2 pots but for other nests I will try 3.

[@REXPROSI]

THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS, THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING YOU HATE THAT THE FIRE ANTS DO

[@user-gn4ts8jb7n]

@@REXPROSI ok Machiavelli

[@CowboybubPercussion]

@@REXPROSI except they do… it’s for the protection of native ant species… and the fact you don’t realize that after exhausting all other options is sad

[@sushsidnd]

@@REXPROSI okay Karen

[@yash8426]

bro assassinated the queen

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Fire ants: Then, everything changed when the- Mikey: *HOOMAN ATTACKED!* destroying a fire ant nest is a small price to pay, for the salvation of giving the natives the upper hand. Proud of you, comrade, for having the courage to do this. “To bake a cake you have to crack a few eggs" it was the right thing to do for the ecosystem as a whole

[@h.m.tolympic4669]

A soul for a soul

[@Foxy_5702]

@@h.m.tolympic4669 a blood for the blood god..

[@touya_todoroki974]

@@h.m.tolympic4669 soul for soul's becouse the invasive ones are mere few compared to the massive amounts of native ants

[@AJ-tk1uo]

I'll never forget when I was kid and I found the biggest abandoned ant mound I've ever seen to this day. I was walking through the woods near my home, when I saw a huge tree that had recently fallen. I walked around it, and climbed on it. That's when I saw a mound of dirt that had to be at least 6 - 7 ft tall, quite literally a hill. I walked over to it and noticed that it was very fine dirt, and I decided to poke the mound with a stick. There was no ants, so I started breaking the mound down to see what was in it. It took a couple weekends of me knocking dirt away piece by piece. Eventually I got to the base of the mound, and there was an opening just a few inches wide. I broke the opening open a little more, and saw that it got a lot wider. It was around 3 feet in diameter, enough for me to climb in comfortably. So I did because I was a stupid kid. There were rooms that had tons of dead ants, and there was a massive chamber at the deepest point I could reach which was big enough for me physically be inside of. There were a lot of garbage rooms, which had loads of insect corpses and bones from small animals. I went back to that spot a few years ago and the hole is still somewhat there but full of debris. Incredible what ants can do.

[@bryanjackson8917]

Sounds like the start of a good science fiction story - Kingdom of the Ants.

[@snackpirate_]

Did you get photos?

[@bullwinkle1446]

Imagine as you were in the furthest room of the mound you hear a whisper at the entrance...."we've been waiting for you" suddenly a rock is pushed in front of the hole you came in. Leaving you in darkness. Then you realize whatever trapped you inside is still in the mound moving slowly towards you. Goosebumps

[@whitelivesmatter7709]

TL;DR

[@RogueDemonEdits]

In the forests in India have 5feet to 7feet tall ant mounds i have seen them myself

[@stephenaohara]

I’d 100% rather just see someone pour boiling water on ants

[@pree988]

That ants must have believed they have angered the ant Gods.

[@kellycollier2026]

You did what was necessary and right. Its obvious that you're the kind of person that has love in your heart for all living things and I know that wasn't easy for you. Keep in mind you're making a place for a native species. Fire ants are so destructive it's sometimes difficult to have an appreciation for their worth. Thank for reminding us the value of life.

[@REXPROSI]

THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS, THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING YOU HATE THAT THE FIRE ANTS DO

[@Staywild_123]

@@REXPROSI LISTEN UP ITS BETTER THAT THEY DIE MANY MORE ANTS WOULD HAVE DIED DON'T U CARE ABOUT THE ECOSYSTEM AND ALOT MORE ANTS HAVE LIVED BECAUSE OF IT. U HATE ANTS NOT US

[@michaellawhun5941]

Seeing as to how it's our, as humans, fault they are there disrupting the environment, it's only right that we correct it.

[@FatesxofxthexDead]

Actually there are natural invasive species in environments, raccoons are an example of this. Fire ants and another species of ant does this too. They naturally wonder and can wonder out of their habitat and adapt to changing weather and climates. They've taken over a lot of central America and the US just doing this

[@pgimacahilasadrianjude5699]

Yes. Hence no hate for those making ant aluminum nest sculptures of fire ants in their backyard

[@TheNukedNacho]

It’s not “pLaYiNg GoD” to correct, as a human, mistakes that other humans made. As some other angry commenters may say

[@eloywizzle782]

''After I poured what was to them an ocean of boiling water all over their colony, I couldn't believe my eyes... they all died"

[@jadedisaster]

It's rough to see this happen, the Fire arts were so delightful to see when you kept them. But here they are taking space that isn't theirs and I think you've made the best choice for the long run.

[@pineappleginseng1557]

"This is truly the saddest thing I've ever had to do in my life..." Coming from someone who has grown up in the South (GA, NC, and SC), I can't say that I feel terrible about the loss of fire ants, but I commend your compassion to life in general, especially for something many of us have always seen as so invasive and potentially dangerous. You're a good man, and the compassion you display certainly warms my heart.

[@BrightWendigo]

He keeps their species as pets for a hobby and it’s a very expensive hobby, so I can see having more compassion for them

[@jimman-beard2167]

Yeah I live in TX and if you don't occasionally put out ant poison on the fire ants I think they might make me the native species...lol

[@Katcom111]

I had to deal with fire ants during the summer. But the only insects that drive me nuts are Joro Spiders. I know they are harmless but their webs would be everywhere..

[@ilikeandloveeverything8711]

Dude if I were you I would’ve poured that pot on the ants and started boiling another pot for the ants

[@reybentanuwijaya8537]

ant love forever

[@unknownodin]

R.I.P all who where loss

[@antoniocook4344]

Sad 😔

[@denzelethan9726]

Salute😢

[@Peachezz90]

This was for the best Mikey. Don't feel bad. Us OG watchers know that it was for the better. We are thinking about the future of the ant house. You dint need millions of fire ants invading the ant house when its finally set up. They will destroy any colony they get near. We all support you

[@REXPROSI]

THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS, THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING YOU HATE THAT THE FIRE ANTS DO

[@elizabethdaniels3127]

@@REXPROSI what do you mean by what you've said

[@IMADINOSAURNOTABIRD]

@@elizabethdaniels3127 they are just being idiotic don't worry.

[@TheNukedNacho]

@@elizabethdaniels3127 He means “AntsCanada bad because Fire Ant kill ant and AntsCanada kill ant so hypocrite”

[@elizabethdaniels3127]

@@IMADINOSAURNOTABIRD evidently they don't understand the need to remove the invasive species of any type

[@thatoneskyline]

Imagine they just become even hotter fire ants

[@pheermeqq]

NGL i read the video title as "Pouring Bong Water onto a Fire Ant Nest". still worth the watch.

[@GalvanizedEntropy]

It's sad that it had to happen, but it was important for the good of the native ants

[@assortedgem219]

"Sometimes, we do the wrong things for the right reasons" I was one of the people that voted to kill the fire ants using boiling water, and even if watching it was heartbreaking, we all knew it was what's best for the native ants species edit: I didn't realize that the quote I used was from Kung Fu Panda lmao 🤣

[@taffy9447]

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, everybody was as fast as lightning

[@getsussybakad3306]

@@taffy9447 There were funky china men from funky china town

[@REXPROSI]

The end does not justify the means

[@MarlonJrOCuyag]

Wtf, lol I didn't vote cause I knew he would be sad cause I wanna vote yes to kill them.

[@benjaminbaki1758]

@@REXPROSI The hardest choices require the strongest wills

[@JG99SC831]

This dude dramatic! They just ants😂😂

[@user-ti6bj8gs5r]

If his neighbours see him jumping up and down, they know he has "Ants in his Plants"

[@StoutShako]

I love how Mikey calls the bait a "chicken bone" but it's still got like 50% of its meat on there. 😂 My mom would whip my tail if I threw that out or gave it to ants!

[@tilde5884]

You have a TAIL?!

[@TreeGod.]

@@tilde5884 you don’t?

[@tilde5884]

@@TreeGod. It seems I've stumbled upon aliens.

[@TreeGod.]

@@tilde5884 not aliens, Caverns under the earth

[@tilde5884]

@@TreeGod. Oh god... oh god... AREA 51?!

[@JoBot__]

For millions of years the ants of Antopia lived in harmony, but that all changed when the fire ants attacked.

[@benitomussolini3121]

And tonight The Antopia City trustes into one man...

[@FrederickTheGrt]

"Just because we're killing [them], it doesn't mean we can't love them." - He borrowed this line from Ivan the Terrible.

[@Helldiver.unit.R2]

One of the fire ants be like: I have a question for God WWWHHHHYYYYYY!!!!

[@Trivikal]

While it feels terrible, you have made a necessary choice for the health of the nature surrounding you, and in doing so will create a better environment for the native ants. ALF(Ant Love Forever)

[@REXPROSI]

THE END DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE MEANS, THEY ARE DOING THE SAME THING YOU HATE THAT THE FIRE ANTS DO

[@Trivikal]

@@REXPROSI Conservation calls for harsh means, and while the native ants aren't perfect, they are not as detrimental to the environment around them as the invasive ants.