We have made it through the winter. And now, the spring and summer are here. We have started to see some changes. It is getting warmer outside, the spring flowers started blooming, and fire ant season is upon us.
Along with the fall, spring is the season when these tiny sting-inducing pests are most active. Thanks to the heated soil.
Consider yourself lucky if you are not familiar with the fire ants. Not only do they sting, but they also cause a variety of damage.
Let’s peep into the guide of how to keep those unwelcome guests away from your home:
What to know about fire ant stings:
Before getting into the idea of removing these nuisance creatures, it is best to know why to keep a safe distance from the fire ants?
In short: Fire ants’ sting.
Fire ants are aggressive and will attack any person whom they think is dangerous.
The fire ants sting involves a burning sensation and itching increases after a day or two. Still, they are not your friendly cartoon ants that live on the pilfered picnic diet.
How to tell if you have fire ants in and around your house?
Look for a mound which is the biggest clue to know that you are dealing with fire ants. Although fire ants mount few inches and can get as high as 18 inches, they become visible after the rainy days.
The mounds consist of fluffy, well-worked soil without any opening in the center. Fire ants come and go from the underground tunnels like a celebrity.
How to keep fire ants away inside and outside your home:
Now that you know what you’re looking for and why you want to remove them, here are some of the methods mentioned below:
Target the mound:
Once you locate the fire anthills, try to destroy them. It is best to kill the nest in the early morning or evening when the fire ants are foraging food. Here are some techniques to remove the fire anthills:
- Drench the mound with gallons of hot water, insecticide, or sprays mixed with water.
- Apply dust or granular pesticide over the top of the anthill, covered with water afterward.
- Sprinkle poisoned bait so that the foraging ants will bring back to the colony, consumed by other fire ants. It thereby kills the ant colony.
Eliminate standing water and other moisture:
Fire ants need water resources for their survival. So, fill in the parts of the yard that are pronely collecting to the water. Also, repair any leaks in and around your house. The fire ants will make the way inside your home through these holes or cracks.
Eliminate other food sources:
Make sure to eliminate the food sources. The fire ants may invade your kitchen pantry and dive into the sweet sugary foodstuff.
Make sure to store the food inside airtight containers.
Wrapping up:
Fire ants are unwelcomed guests invading your home. After performing all the necessary methods to remove the ant infestation, call the pest control professionals.
