Fire ants are one of the few species of ants that can be harmful to humans. They have a stinger on their abdomen that injects a venom. In small doses their venom is painful but not life threatening. However, fire ants will group together to defend their nest and begin injecting the threat multiple times. Those who are allergic to bee stings may suffer severe reactions with a fire ant sting as well. Controlling fire ants may become a safety concern as well as part of maintaining a pest free home. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control will share different approaches to help you control fire ants.
Fire Ant Characteristics
Fire ants can be easily identified. They don’t make too much effort hiding their nest as they create large mounds in the yard. Fire Ants can be difficult to completely eliminate as they can infest many areas. However, you can suppress and reduce population which makes them far less of a threat. Because Fire Ants can be difficult to control, often there are multiple approaches that are used.
Fire Ant Broadcast Baits
There are many types of broadcast baits that can be used and depending on the type of bait will determine how fast the ants will be controlled. First ants will need to find the bait. Once found, the site is broadcast among the colony. As the entire colony consumes the bait, including the queen, the ant colony will dwindle in population. Some of the best types of bait include indoxacarb which can control a colony within 3 to 10 days. Other baits that can be used include hydramethylnon, spinosad, abamectin, fenoxycarb, methoprene, and pyriproxyfen. They work well too but often take between 2 weeks and up to 2 months after which some more bait must be reapplied after a few weeks.
Fire Ant Insecticide Treatment
Applications of insecticides can become expensive when you try to cover your whole yard. Additionally, it’s not the most environmentally friendly approach to control fire ants. Instead apply insecticide in smaller areas prone to fire ant activity. Fire ants that are invading inside the home or along the edges of planters and other landscape features are better candidates for insecticides. However, never apply insecticides near drainage systems, and don’t directly apply them near edible gardens. Some of the best applications for insecticides are placed near the home, typically near the point of entry to help keep fire ants out.
Treatment for Fire Ant Mounds
Fire Ants mounds are easy to spot which make it the perfect target for control. The fire ant’s underground nest is rather large and can span out hundreds of feet in length. Often you may find a single fire ant mound in your back yard. However, they most likely have multiple mounds and treating all of them can be impossible. However, by treating the mounds in your yard can discourage them from using those exit points and they may even seek safer foraging sites. To treat mounds, simply just bait.
Fire Ant Pest Inspection & Control Treatment 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
Controlling fire ants can be tricky and may take months to see results, which is why it is recommended that you seek professional pest control services. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control can help control fire ants and many other invading pests. Contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control today!
