Identifying & Controlling Fire Ants
Ants are everywhere. They are on the sidewalks, in the grass, and climbing on the outside of houses just to give a few examples. It’s hard to go anywhere and not see an ant whether it’s the park, the mall, or just in your driveway. While some ants are tiny and harmless, others are more aggressive, prevalent, and stubborn. Fire Ants, for example, can be especially alarming. Fire ants should be identified and removed as soon as possible to prevent damage to your home, family, and guests.
Fire Ant Characteristics
Fire Ant Bodies
Unlike common ants, which are black or dark brown, fire ants have distinct red bodies. Their exact coloring can be anywhere between reddish-black to reddish-brown, but all of these ants will have the tint of red making them stand out among the other harmless ants. In addition, fire ants have a stinger on their lower body. Instead of a rounded abdomen, there is a sharp stinger at the very end of their bodies. These ants can both bite and sting when they come in contact with humans or animals.
Fire Ant Mounds
If you can’t get very close to these ants, or just don’t want to, the type of mounds they create can also identify them. Groups of fire ants create visible piles of dirt and soil, most typically found in sunny areas of a yard. Fire ants don’t like darkness so they very rarely venture into and make mounds in shaded areas. These mounds are dome-shaped and can be as tall as 18 centimeters. The more time that these mounds exist in your yard, the more will start popping up as the fire any colony reproduces.
Fire Ant Behavior
Fire ants are aggressive insects. They do not hesitate to bite or sting making them a nuisance and danger to any homeowner or Florida resident. Outside of the home, fire ants gain nutrition from other insects and dead animals. However, once they have entered a home or property, they feed off of fats or sweet foods that are left out or are easily accessible on shelves or tables. A fire ant infestation should be addressed right away.
How To Control Fire Ants
Fire ants are one of the most bothersome pests in the Southeast Florida region. Not only are they difficult to get rid of, but their bites are very painful. The stings can leave burning, red bumps on the skin that can turn into itchy blisters. Children are especially susceptible to the stings and can experience worse symptoms than adults.
If you’ve ever tried looking up solutions to getting rid of fire ants, you probably know the Internet is full of many different approaches. This can lead to confusion, and many homeowners aren’t sure which approach is the most effective. Fortunately, there is a solution, although not necessarily an easy one. Fire ant control can eliminate fire ants from taking over your lawn if you follow the proper procedure. Adam’s Pest Control uses a granular insecticide that is applied to the entire yard, rather than just a spot treatment. This ensures that all colonies are eliminated, and they will no longer be a problem for you and your family.
It is important not to disturb the mounds before applying any treatment, and to make sure children and pets do not go near the colonies in order to stay out of harm’s way. Any chemical treatment can affect the skin, so gloves and other protective gear must be worn when treating for fire ants.
Fire ants are one of the most stubborn pests throughout Southeast Florida, and permanently eliminating them is very difficult. You may need to call a lawn care and pest control professional to handle fire ant control. Adam’s Pest Control offers lawn plans guaranteed to get rid of fire ants, and more.