As a rule, anything with the word “fire” used to describe it is probably painful. It’s certainly the case with aggressive fire ants in Anna, TX. While many pest ants are more likely to run and hide than start a fight, fire ants are notoriously territorial and have no problem swarming you with a smattering of burning-hot stings. So, to avoid the pain and keep your home or business bug-free, here’s how to keep fire ants away from your Anna property.
About Fire Ants
Fire ants are not one particular species of ant, but rather several species belonging to the genus Solenopsis. The most pervasive type of fire ant in the U.S. is the red imported fire ant, or RIFA. Originating in South America, these invasive ants are renowned for their aggressive behavior and painful sting — yes, sting! While most ants only have their jaws for defense, fire ants have a venomous stinger that they are eager to use on anyone or anything that trespasses on their turf.
Fire ants are red or reddish-brown in color and usually measure about 1/4 inch in length. Unlike termites that can silently infiltrate your property without you ever knowing, fire ants make no excuses for their presence and live out in the open. They tend to make large dirt mounds at the entrances of their nests, and colonies can grow to hundreds of thousands of members in size.
Are Fire Ants Dangerous?
A single sting from a fire ant is not medically significant for the vast majority of healthy adults. It hurts, but it’s certainly not life-threatening. However, a swarm of stings from multiple fire ants can increase pain, swelling, and itchiness significantly.
Individuals who are allergic to fire ants are in danger if these pests infest nearby property, especially because fire ants are so fond of stinging. A fire ant sting can result in nausea, breathing difficulties, swelling, and dizziness in allergic individuals.
Fire ants are incredibly frustrating pests to deal with not only because of their extreme aggression but because they are so hard to get rid of. Fire ant colonies have multiple queens and may have several satellite colonies around the perimeter of their main colony — making total elimination difficult.
When threatened, fire ants are known to disperse from their colony and relocate to a new area. They can survive pesticides, flooding, and most attempts to get rid of them.
The Best Way To Deal With Fire Ants
Your best bet for dealing with fire ants on your Anna property is with help from the pros at EcoArmor Pest Defense. We offer both commercial pest control and residential pest control plans for our customers suffering from nasty fire ants at home or at work. With eco-friendly treatment options, the highest quality equipment, and guaranteed services, we’ll take care of your fire ants once and for all. Get in touch with us today.
How To Prevent Fire Ants
Like most ants, fire ants are motivated by food and water. Controlling these factors around your property can have a huge impact on reducing the presence of fire ants and other pests. To prevent fire ants, you should:
- Store food properly: Keep pantry items stored in sturdy containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Clean up around the kitchen: Ensure there are no spills, crumbs, or scraps for fire ants to eat. Wipe down surfaces after you cook or eat and clean floors regularly.
- Take out the trash: Don’t let garbage pile up indoors. Dispose of trash in bins with tight-sealing lids. Try to wash out food containers before disposal to keep pests away.
- Reduce moisture: Fix leaking pipes or faucets and dump out any standing water around your property.
If you’ve got fire ants in Anna, contact EcoArmor Pest Defense to keep them off your property for good.
