Fire Ants
Fire ants are notorious for their aggressive behavior and painful stings.
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What do these Ants look like?
These reddish-brown ants are known for building large, dome-shaped mounds in the ground, and they will fiercely defend their nests if disturbed.
Quick information about Fire Ants
- USUALLY FOUND IN: NO NEST BUT FORAGE AROUND PLANTS, SHRUBS AND TREES
- FEEDS ON: PLANTS, SHRUBS AND TREES
- BITES/STINGS: STING
- SIZE/COLOR: 4-5MM / REDDISH BROWN
- SEASON: MARCH TO OCTOBER
- TREATABLE AT HOME: YES BY BAITS, DUSTS AND SPRAY
Information About Fire Ants
Locale On Property
As with other species of ants, fire ants are opportunistic foragers and often wander inside residences to find sustenance and water. Due to the convenience of an indoor food source, fire ants may nest around the base of a home or commercial building.
Description
Fire ants are red and black in coloration and, like all insects, they are protected by a hard exoskeleton and have six legs. Worker ants have round heads with mandibles, an armored thorax midsection and an abdomen, made up of the pedicle and the gaster. The head is typically copper brown in color.
Concerns
Imported fire ants inflict painful stings and can kill human beings. There are large social and medical costs associated with this pest.
A single fire ant can sting its target repeatedly. Susceptible individuals who have suffered painful stings caused by red imported fire ants, usually experience physical health effects such as fever, dizziness, generalized urticaria, or other systemic reactions such as anaphylactic shock.
Everyone deserves a pest-free home.
At Avayda, we know that you want a pest free home, regardless of the time of year. In order to do that, you need the right team and products to help remove invaders and keep them out for good. The problem is you’ve tried to solve it yourself, or you don’t have the time, and they keep coming back. Ultimately, you’re afraid they’ll never go away.
Everyone deserves a pest-free home. And we understand that your home has to be safe for you and your family. Free from any kind of insect, pest, or unwanted guest. We’ve helped create pest-free homes for 10,000+ customers, and we’re ready to help. We offer year-round pest services with safe products for the whole family and a guarantee that they’ll be out of your house for good.
Fire Ants: Effective Ant Control & How to Exterminate Fire Ants
Fire ants are aggressive and invasive pests that can cause painful stings and damage to yards and homes. If you’ve spotted fire ants on your property, acting fast is crucial to prevent them from spreading.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to exterminate fire ants, the best fire ants control methods, and how to prevent future infestations.
Fire Ant Control: How to Get Rid of Fire Ants
Eliminating fire ants requires a targeted approach to ensure you destroy the entire colony, including the queen. Here’s how to effectively control and exterminate fire ants from your property.
Step 1: Identify Fire Ant Mounds
Before treatment, locate all active fire ant mounds. Fire ants prefer:
- Sunny, open areas like lawns, gardens, and parks
- Near foundations and sidewalks
- Under rocks, logs, and patio slabs
Each mound may house thousands of ants, so treating only the surface won’t work—you must eliminate the entire colony.
Step 2: Use Fire Ant Baits for Long-Term Control
Fire ant baits are one of the most effective fire ant control methods because they target the queen and stop reproduction.
- How Fire Ant Baits Work: Worker ants carry the bait to the queen, who ingests it and dies, leading to the colony’s collapse.
- Where to Apply: Sprinkle bait around mounds and trails, not directly on them.
- Best Time to Apply: In the morning or evening, when ants are actively foraging.
Fire ant baits take time to work (1-2 weeks), so be patient and avoid disturbing treated areas.
Step 3: How to Exterminate Fire Ants with Direct Treatments
If you need fast results, use fire ant-killing insecticides to eliminate mounds on contact.
Best Fire Ant Extermination Methods
- Granular Insecticides: Apply to the soil around fire ant nests for long-term control.
- Liquid Drenches: Pour insecticide solutions directly into the mound to kill ants instantly.
- Boiling Water: Pouring boiling water on fire ant mounds is a natural, chemical-free way to eliminate colonies (but may not always kill the queen).
When applying insecticides, wear protective gear and follow product instructions carefully.
Step 4: Prevent Fire Ants from Returning
Once you’ve exterminated the colony, take these ant control measures to keep fire ants away for good:
- Apply fire ant baits regularly to prevent reinfestations.
- Mow your lawn frequently to deter fire ants from nesting.
- Seal entry points in foundations, windows, and doors.
- Keep outdoor areas clean by removing food scraps and standing water.
When to Call a Professional for Fire Ant Control
While DIY treatments work for small infestations, severe fire ant problems may require professional extermination services.
- Recurring infestations despite DIY treatments
- Fire ant mounds appearing near home foundations
- Fire ant stings causing allergic reactions
Professional exterminators use advanced baits, barrier treatments, and specialized insecticides to ensure 100% colony elimination and long-term fire ant prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Ants
Q: What’s the fastest way to get rid of fire ants?
A: The fastest way is to use liquid mound drenches or boiling water to kill active colonies instantly. However, for long-term control, bait treatments are the most effective.
Q: How do I keep fire ants out of my yard permanently?
A: Regular bait applications, sealing entry points, and keeping outdoor areas clean will significantly reduce the chances of fire ants returning.
Q: Can fire ants come inside my home?
A: Yes. While they prefer outdoor nests, fire ants may enter homes through cracks in search of food.
Q: Are fire ant bites dangerous?
A: Fire ant stings cause painful welts and may trigger severe allergic reactions in some people. If you experience difficulty breathing after a sting, seek medical attention immediately.
Trust Avayda Pest Control to Eliminate Fire Ants
Fire ants are aggressive pests that require a proactive approach for effective fire ant control.
- Use baits for long-term colony elimination.
- Apply direct treatments like insecticides or boiling water for quick extermination.
- Maintain a clean yard and seal entry points to prevent reinfestations.
- Call a professional exterminator for severe or recurring fire ant problems.
If you’re dealing with fire ants on your property, Avayda Pest Control offers expert fire ant extermination services to help you reclaim your home and yard. Contact us today for a consultation!