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Category: Ants

How to Get Rid of Fire Ants

Posted on by john

Removing fire ants from your yard can be a difficult and labor-intensive task. A fire ant bite is painful and may be dangerous to those who are sensitive. It may require several treatments spread out over time. For larger infestations, it may be necessary to get the assistance of professional exterminators to ensure full removal of the colony.

Fire Ant Bites

A fire ant is a diminutive insect, hardly worth noticing, but it carries a powerful punch in its venom. Unlike most ants, which bite and then spray the wound with venom, fire ants both bite and sting, injecting a rather nasty acidic venom that produces a burning sensation. The burning pain of the bite is what gave fire ants their name. Bites often come in clusters and result in painful, red, raised blisters. Victims should be watched for signs of an allergic reaction. If there is no sign of breathing trouble, excessive swelling, confusion, or shock, it’s safe to treat the bites with home remedies like ice packs to reduce the pain and swelling, antihistamines, and antibiotic cream to prevent infection.

Fire Ant Killer

One of the most common approaches for destroying a small colony is to soak the mound and the entire area thoroughly with very hot water. This option leaves behind no toxic residue, making it safe for yards with pets, but it may not be 100% effective. It may be necessary to dig up the mound to ensure that the entire colony is destroyed. Alternatively, there are several liquid, powder, and granular options. There are several baits available on the market that are nontoxic.

How to Get Rid of a Larger Infestation

If you see more than 2-3 mounds, or if the mounds are large, it may be necessary to call upon professional help to safely remove fire ants from your property. Excavation and the application of stronger pesticides may be necessary to eradicate the fire ant problem from your yard. Pets and small children should be kept well away for safety’s sake, as well as anyone with sensitivity or known allergies.

Ant Killer vs. Ant Bait

Posted on by john

Ants are one of the most invasive, annoying, and difficult to remove pests that invade our homes. Bested only by cockroaches in their tenacity, ants are a recurring problem for many homeowners, one you may despair of solving. When perusing the offerings in the insecticide aisle, you may feel overwhelmed by the offerings. Is it better to “bait” ants, or go for ant killer?

Ant Bait                                                                                                                                  

Although the idea of “bait” is usually to attract prey, a concept counterintuitive to pest control, ant bait is not there to bring ants in. Ant bait is a Trojan horse, designed to wipe out not individual insects, but the colony. The ants come in and take the bait, then return home with it, ultimately poisoning the entire colony.  ant killer charleston sc

Ant Killer

Ant killer is a spray or compound that attacks the individual ant directly, killing the insect. This method is effective if there is not already an established colony in or near your home. Sprays are generally effective against a number of different species of bugs, while baits may affect only ants. The correct approach to your specific ant problem will be as unique as your home and situation.

When to Call in Professionals

While you may be able to deal with an occasional ant with DIY or over the counter sprays and baits, a larger infestation may require professional assistance to eradicate. The presence of small children or pets may also be a factor. Many sprays are toxic, and residue may be harmful to pets or small children. Baits, while safer, can be ingested by children or animals if they’re within reach. A professional exterminator can help you discover the routes ants are using to get into your home, remove those pathways, and eliminate the existing ant problem. Call us today for a consultation.

Fire Ant Infestation Signs

Posted on by john

In the 1930s, fire ants made their way to the United States. They first established themselves in Alabama, before spreading to at least 15 other states along the southern and western coasts of the US. Since then, the common fire ant infestation has become a growing problem. Not to be confused with the more docile native fire ants, the imported red fire ants are aggressive swarming insects that deliver a painful sting.

Fire Ant Territory

Fire ants typically prefer open, sunny areas like lawns and fields. As omnivores, they can find food sources almost anywhere. They are attracted to meats, and greasy and sweet materials, making campgrounds and picnic areas perfect areas for them to colonize. They may also be found under buildings and near standing water.

Spotting the Nest

Fire ant mounds are a familiar sight to many south-westerners. The nest is typically built above ground and may be two feet in diameter and up to 8-10 inches tall. The relatively low height may make mounds difficult to see from a distance, or when using equipment like a tractor, making it more likely that the nest could be disturbed by yard or fieldwork.

Colony Facts

A large colony can have up to 250,000 worker ants. The workers are aggressive and active, and will attack in swarms, delivering repeated stings to any intruder. It takes only 30 days for eggs to grow into adults, and workers live for up to 180 days, which means a colony can grow quickly. A queen lives between two and six years and may grow an enormous colony in her lifetime.

Preventing Fire Ant Infestation

Some steps that you can take to avoid a fire ant infestation include:

  • Removing standing water and other sources of moisture around the home
  • Keep trash cans and yard waste covered and sealed
  • Seal gaps around doors and windows
  • When eating outdoors, check for fire ant nests in the area, and keep food covered until you’re ready to eat.
  • Avoid wearing dark colors, floral prints, and loose-fitting garments, as well as floral or sweet-smelling perfumes or colognes.

Professional pest control companies like Exclusive Pest can offer you comprehensive plans for managing and preventing infestations, and for removing existing colonies from your property. The most important part of removing a colony is preventing the insects from entering the home, business, or other buildings on the property. In the case of large colonies, it’s best to engage a professional service to prevent injury.

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