The Burning Truth About Fire Ant Control: A Comprehensive Guide
Fire ants are making their march across the United States at an alarming pace. Red fire ants, native to South America, first started appearing in the 1930s and slowly began covering the country. Unfortunately, their migration has led to fire ants in Charlotte. This pest can become an annoying invader for homeowners. We’ll go over how to identify fire ants and how fire ant control protects you and your family from their painful bite.
What Are Fire Ants?
One of the most dreaded ant species in the United States is the fire ant. Known for their stinging bite and aggressive nature, these pests have spread as far west as California and as north as Maryland. You can identify fire ants by their reddish brown or copper color with a darker abdomen. They’re also small—only ranging 2–6 mm in length.
Just coming close to a fire ant mound raises the alarm for these ants, and hundreds of fire ants will defend their nest by attacking whoever is near their disturbed ant hill. Their venom is quite potent and can even harm and kill small animals, including household pets. While it’s less likely for a fire ant to kill a human, fire ant bites cause a burning, stinging sensation and leave a red bump with a white center that may be irritated for a few days. Though they have been known to cause allergic reactions, so get to a doctor immediately if you notice any difficulty breathing or swelling after a fire ant bite.
How Do You Get Rid of Fire Ants?
Fire ants can be tricky pests in several ways. For one, complete elimination of this pest can be a difficult task to achieve. You may be able to temporarily get rid of them by setting up a perimeter through a pest control technician, but these perimeters can only go so far out and last for so long if not maintained.
Fire ants are also very adaptable creatures and will move locations as their environment changes. Your neighbor mowing their grass, construction down the street, or even returning home from a camping trip may cause fire ants to migrate to your yard. Regularly setting up a perimeter through a recurring pest maintenance plan with included fire ant control is going to be the best way to reduce and eliminate a fire ant problem in your yard.
Another tricky part of fire ant control is getting close enough to administer the poisonous bait safely and avoid endangering wildlife, yourself, and pets. Once the bait has been placed, fire ants will carry it back to their nest where it will begin poisoning the rest of the colony to reduce their numbers.
It is important to do this step correctly because fire ants are very crafty. They mobilize quickly at the first sign of trouble and relocate survivors to a new area. This is why ineffective treatments often end up exacerbating the problem and resulting in multiple ant mounds throughout the yard.
Because of how difficult it can be to control fire ants and the danger they pose, hiring a professional is the best way to deal with these aggressive pests. A pest control company will know how to safely eliminate the problem without putting you or your family in harm’s way. A skilled pest control technician is also your best bet at controlling these pests the first time.
Prevent These Fiery Invaders with Clint Miller Exterminating
With over 40 years of service in North Carolina, Clint Miller Exterminating is here to help you with all your fire ant control needs. Whether you need to actively get rid of fire ants or want to begin preventive measures, we’ve got you covered! Starting with our Gold Recurring Pest Control Plan, we’ll create a perimeter to control current populations and prevent fire ants in your yard. If you need help dealing with fire ants in Charlotte, NC, contact us at Clint Miller Exterminating today!
