Spring time provides the perfect weather for more outdoor activities that we can enjoy with family and friends. Hiking, camping and barbeques are all popular events that can be enjoyed this time of year. Unfortunately we are not the only ones that become more active when the weather warms up. Stinging insects throughout the state of Texas become more active during the spring and summer seasons and so it is important for us to become familiar with the types of stinging insects we may come into contact with and how to avoid their painful stings. The most common types of stinging insects that local residents will come into contact include the honey bee, wasps, fire ants and the Eastern velvet ant. If you notice a heavy population of any of these insects around or near your home, contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control immediately. Never attempt to remove a hive or disturb these insects in any way, this is extremely dangerous and should be handled only by a pest professional.
Do Honey Bees Make Hives on Houses?
Honeybees usually nest in hives built in hollow trees or rock crevices, but their hives have also been found attached to office buildings, schools and residential homes. Honey bees are not normally aggressive unless they are disturbed near their hive. They sting only once and leave behind a barbed stinger with a small venom sac attached. The best action to take if you come across a honey bee hive is to leave it alone. If the hive is sitting too close to your home or other structure where people are frequently close by, contact a professional pest control service. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control is skilled and experienced in dealing with honeybee hives and removing them safely without putting anyone at risk for injury.
Fire Ants Come Out in the Spring & Summer
One of the most common type of stinging ant in Texas is the fire ant. Fire ants are red or black and can leave multiple stings in a small circular or semicircular cluster. Fire ants build large underground nests that show as mounds above ground and can be very aggressive especially if the nest is disturbed. Fire ant nests are not only built in dirt or sand, but can also be hidden right under your front lawn. This can be especially dangerous for young children or family pets that often play out front. Fire ants move very quickly and can inflict a significant amount of stings in a very short time. If you suspect there are fire ants anywhere near your home, contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control immediately to eliminate the fire ants permanently.
Why Am I Seeing Red Velvet Ants?
The red velvet ant is actually not an ant at all, but comes from the wasp species family. It has wings and is black and red in color so is commonly mistaken for some type of ant. The red velvet ant also goes by the knick name of the cow killer ant. The females have no wings but are the only ones with a stinger. The female red velvet ants are slightly larger than their male counter parts. Although this species of stinging insect may invade a home, they are rarely known to be a pest in households. They do however become more of a nuisance on farms or in larger gardens. A sting from the red velvet ant will make one feel intense pain which could last up to 30 minutes. The ants’ venom injected into the victim when they sting is not toxic or lethal to humans, unless the victim experiences some type of allergic reaction.
Stinging Insect Inspections, Control, Removal, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
If you notice any stinging insects near your home, contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control immediately. We will conduct a thorough inspection to determine the type of stinging insect and recommend the best course of action.
