Fire Ant Problem? Know How To Treat It

Do you have a problem with fire ants around your home? These pests can sting you when you least expect it, with the ability to attack multiple times with their aggressive nature. All it takes is getting stung once by these pests to want to get rid of them for good. Here is what you need to know about the fire ant elimination process.

Identifying The Ants

The first thing you want to do is identify that you are dealing with actual fire ants. They are known for having red bodies and black abdomens. Their size can also be less than a quarter inch long, with a single large mound that doesn't have any opening. The fire ants do not have preferences for where they create their ant hills, so they will appear in fields or near a home's foundation. If you are not positive you have a fire ant infestation, reach out to a pest control company to take a look for you.

Treating The Area

The secret to exterminating fire ants involves two steps. It starts with treating the entire affected area with a special bait that contains a pesticide in it. The goal is for the ants to take the pesticide-laced bait back to their ant colony and give it to the queen ant. If successful, the queen will be killed and more ants will not spawn. Your pest exterminator will know where it is best to place the bait for maximum efficiency.

The second step is treating individual ant hills around your yard. This is a task that should be done when it is not too cold or too hot, and to drench the ant hills with the pesticide. The goal will be to get the pesticide into the hills to get any ants that were not killed off by the initial bait.

One thing to keep in mind is that the pesticide used to kill the fire ants can be dangerous to children and pets. You'll want to have this service done at a time that you know kids will not be playing outdoors. Let other people in your home know not to take pets or children outside until the pesticide is dry. Your exterminator can let you know how long to wait until it is safe for everyone to play outside again.

By following these tips, you'll be sure to get rid of those fire ants.