Abstract: A bait composition for the control of fire ants based on fact that an ant pyrazine attractant contained therein will attract foraging fire ants and the fire ants will be stimulated by the phagostimulant to eat the bait and distribute active ingredients also contained therein throughout the colony. Furthermore, the bait composition can be used directly or modified as a surveillance composition for monitoring and detecting fire ants based on the fact that a pyrazine attractant contained therein will attract foraging fire ants to a trap containing a fast acting, non-repellent insecticide that keeps attracted workers in the trap as a measure of fire ant presence.