Baits containing tankage, fish meal, ground insect bodies, processed vegetable (cooking) oils, digested corn and soybean protein plus fat (Staley SPIB FA-19C & 39), peanut butter, and certain other mixtures high in protein and/or fat were the most attractive of more than 400 formulations offered the imported fire ant (Solenopsis saevissima v. richteri Forel), in laboratory and field experiments. The insecticides heptachlor and Kepone® (1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10, 10-decachlorotetracyclo [5.2.1.02.6.03.9.05.8] decan 4-one) were acceptable to the ant and effective in control to a greater degree than any of the other 27 materials studied. Peanut butter containing 0.125% Kepone was the most effective bait used in small- and large-plot field experiments. When this bait was applied at the rate of 4 or 6 pounds per acre, 100% of the fire ant colonies were eliminated. The peanut butter bait was injected into soda straws with a grease gun to facilitate application in the field. Other promising Kepone baits were prepared as pellets from equal parts of peanut butter and peanut meal and as polymerized granules of peanut butter.