Although they may seem harmless, fire ants are anything but, and if you’ve ever been bitten by one, you know this to be true.
Fire ants, while small, can cause several issues. From those painful bites to the havoc they can cause on your garden, fire ants are just a big nuisance.
If you are having issues with ants, it’s probably best that you identify the type of ant you are dealing with first. This especially true if you the ants are prevalent in your yard and/or garden.
What are Fire Ants?
Fire ants have a distinct look. They are usually reddish brown in color and are commonly found in mounds. The mounds are usually fairly easy to spot, and can measure as high as 24 inches in height.
Fire ants are lovers of warm weather, so you can likely spot these insects around tree stumps, cracks in concrete, parks, pastures, fields, and lawns. While all of these characteristics are great indicators that you have fire ants at your home, the biggest and most painful sign is their bites.
5 Additional Things You Need to Know About Fire Ants
- Their Bites can be Dangerous – We’ve mentioned the bites or stings of fire ants a few times in this article. The reason being is because they are painful and can even cause allergic reactions in some people. Since fire ants actually release venom when they bite, a large amount of fire ant bites can even be lethal. This is all the more reason to get rid of these insects as soon as you can.
- There Are Different Kinds of Fire Ants – Although we categorize all fire ants into one species, there are actually several different types of fire ants. However, the Red Imported Fire Ant is one of the worst types in the United States. This species was initially brought to the U.S. via the port in Mobile, Alabama, and continues to reproduce rapidly.
- Prevention Is Easier – Since fire ants tend to reproduce quickly, it is much easier to prevent fire ant colonization than it is to eliminate an existing colony that is at your home. To ensure it’s done correctly, you may consider getting fire ant control done by a pest control specialist.
- They Can Live a Fairly Long Life – Unlike a lot of insects, fire ants can actually live quite a while. Worker fire ants can live up to 180 days while queen fire ants can live between two to six years.
- Fire Ants Are Omnivores – Fire ants are different from a lot of other insects as they eat meat and feed on animals and veggies.
Prevent Fire Ants at Your Home Today
Do you have a colony of fire ants in your yard? Have you spotted a mound on the sidewalk leading to your home? Don’t wait until they have reproduced. Instead, get rid of them as soon as possible with a pest control service from Buzz Kill Pest Control.
If you’re lucky enough not to have an infestation of fire ants, early prevention can keep them from taking over your lawn in the future.
Contact Buzz Kill Pest Control to schedule an appointment with our pest control professionals.