What Fire Ants Are And How To Remove Them

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, there are fire ants in Charlotte. This pest can become an annoying invader for homeowners. We’ll go over how to identify fire ants and how to control them to protect 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, copper color with a darker abdomen. They’re also small—only ranging 2–6 mm in length

Just coming close to a nest raises the alarm for these ants, and hundreds of fire ants will attack. 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, their bite causes a burning, stinging sensation and leaves a red bump with a white center that can cause irritation for a few days. 

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. 

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 pest control perimeter for fire ants is going to be the best way to reduce and control a fire ant problem, but you may not get complete elimination, especially within 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 pest control needs. Whether you need active exterminating 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!

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