Fire ants are an invasive species originally from South America. These tenacious ants have been spreading through the United States, bringing their painful bites to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife. Because they are an invasive species, there are no natural forces holding back their spread. Therefore, fire ant control services have become so important in the areas they have invaded.
When a fire ant mound is disturbed, large numbers of these aggressive ants quickly come out to meet their attacker. The subsequent bites burn and sting at first. This burning and stinging is followed by pustules and itching for about 10 days. In extreme cases, the bites can lead to infections or even allergic reactions in some people and pets. Most fire ant mounds are easy to see (and therefore, to treat), but their homes are not always obvious. They have also been known to make nests in electrical equipment, under pavement and buildings, and in stumps or rotting logs. These surprise nests are the worst because they can do damage to your property and surprise you as you work around your home.
The good news is that our professional fire ant control services can protect your and your family from these unwelcome visitors. Typically, treatment takes one of the following forms:
- Broadcast bait applications aim to destroy fire ant populations throughout your property.
- Individual mound treatments target the mounds you can see.
- Barrier and spot treatments aim to prevent fire ants from entering your property.
Usually, the fire ant control that is right for you will be a combination of these tactics. Because fire ants are resilient, reinfestation is only a matter of time. Keep your eyes open for signs of these unwelcome pests and give us a call at The Other Side Lawn & Ornamental Pest Control Inc. if you have any questions.