How to Get Rid of Fire Ants
If you spot red ants in your home, don’t automatically assume they are fire ants. While fire ants are generally red, they can also be black, particularly the black male reproductive.
One common sign of fire ants is the worker and swarmer ants. Other signs can be their sandy earthen mounds, which are typically more visible after recent rainfall.
How Serious Are Fire Ants?
Fire ants first use their mandibles to grip their prey when attacking. They then inject venom through a stinger. Fire ant stings are not only painful for most humans, but can be fatal to some. If you experience a severe reaction such as sweating, nausea or excessive itching, contact emergency medical services immediately. Their stings contain alkaloid venom, which is highly irritating to humans and results in red bumps and white pustules. The sensation of a fire ant burn has been described as “stinging” and “intense burning’.
To avoid fire ant bites or stings, be cautious and observant where you step, sit or place items such as food or drinks. If you notice a fire ant mound, keep an eye on the ground to watch for ant activity.
How to Prevent Fire Ant Infestations
The are a few ways you can make your home or business less fire ant friendly, including the following:
- Keep floors clean of crumbs by regularly vacuuming and wiping spills
- Clean up after pets as leftover food is often cited as a cause of ant infestations
- If you keep a compost bin in your garden, make sure it has a tight seal
- Keep all of your food and cooking materials tightly sealed as fire ants seek accessible food sources
Professional Fire Ant Pest Control Services
When it comes to how to get rid of fire ants in your home or business, it is best to leave it to the professionals. Due to the very large size of fire ant colonies and that they extend under the ground a great distance, it can be an extremely difficult to control fire ants. Colonies often have multiple queens. Therefore, they can recover if a part of the colony and a queen or two have been killed. In addition, they often occur in large numbers, so that when you have eliminated one colony another will likely move in to occupy the space.
Fire ants can be sometimes a danger to humans or pets. Therefore, it is ideal to consult with professionals regarding ways to control them. City Pest Control offers fire ant infestation pest control services in Bryan/College Station. Our highly trained specialist will come to your home and conduct a thorough inspection inside and outside. We will then develop a customized treatment plan that best meets your needs for your situation. Contact us with the link below to schedule your fire ant pest control services with us today!
