What are fire ants?
Fire ants are tiny reddish-brown to reddish black ants, and extending from the hind end is a stinger. Like other species of ants, fire ants are social: living, and working together in large numbers. They are an invasive species and take over properties in large numbers and drive away native species of ants and other insects. They will bite and sting people, and pets, making their presence on our properties always unwanted.
Are fire ants dangerous?
Fire ants get their name from their ability to deliver stings that leave behind a burning, fire-like sensation. Having fire ants nesting in or near your yard is dangerous as these ants have very short tempers. You or your kids just simply walking next to their nest could elicit an attack from these aggressive ants. The more ants that bite you, the more venom that they’ll inject into your body. Allergic reactions to their venom can range from mild to severe or even life-threatening.
When fire ants are nesting on a property and feel threatened, they will “bud” or divide their members. Their ability to bud means that you could start with one fire ant nest on your property and come to have multiple nests, each filled with thousands of these dangerous ants.
Why do I have a fire ant problem?
Fire ants are omnivores and eat various foods, including carrion, sweets, insects, meat, seeds, and grease. These ants are attracted to properties that will supply them with a steady supply of food and suitable nesting sites.
Gardens, trash cans, recycling bins, pet food, outdoor eating areas, and compost are all things that initially attract ants to properties. Our region’s hot temperatures allow fire ants to thrive year-round and forage for food to feed their colonies day and night.
Where will I find fire ants?
Fire ants typically nest in the ground in open sunny areas making fields, golf courses, parks, and yards common places to find these dangerous ants. In some instances, they will nest in the soil next to foundations or sidewalks and are also attracted to electrical equipment like air conditioners.
Their nests may be raised or flat but are usually irregular in shape and have several entrances. When disturbed, these ants will swarm and attack the threat. In your yard, that threat could be you, your kids, or pets.
Though fire ants aren’t regular invaders of structures, they sometimes find their way into our homes to forage for food.
How do I get rid of fire ants?
Dedicated to providing our residential and commercial customers with effective pest control solutions, Evolve Pest Control will solve all of your Texas, Nevada, or St. George, Utah property’s pest problems. We understand how debilitating it can be to have fire ants on your property, and we will act quickly!
Our experienced service technicians perform thorough inspections and advanced treatments to eliminate pests and prevent them from returning. Our goal is to offer our customers high-quality services that are affordable and eco-friendly in order to provide them with a pest-free home or business. To learn more about our fire ant control solutions or to request your free quote and get started with your service, contact Evolve Pest Control today!
How can I prevent fire ants in the future?
In addition to our professional services, the following tips will help keep fire ants off your property:
- Provide fire ants with fewer places to forage for food on your property by keeping locking lids on trash and recycling bins, maintaining gardens, and picking up uneaten pet food.
- Keep outdoor eating areas free of food debris.
- Reseed bare spots on your lawn.
- Create a stone or crushed-rock barrier between any mulch or soil and the foundation of your home.
- Seal entry points by doing things like placing door sweeps on exterior doors, sealing spaces around utilities leading into your house, and caulking cracks that develop in the foundation.
