Fire Ants In Durham: A Handy Guide To Identification, Prevention, And Control

Ants are often thought of as a minor nuisance when it comes to common household pests. But there are some kinds of ants that are much more cause for concern than others. One such kind of ant is the fire ant. The name “fire ants” comes from their ability to deliver a painful bite or sting. They can cause a lot of issues if they aren’t taken care of promptly, and many homeowners don’t know how to control them properly.

In this article, we’ll go over everything you should know about fire ant pest control in Durham. We’ll discuss how to identify fire ants, as well as signs of their presence that you should keep an eye out for. Then we’ll talk about the dangers of having fire ants in or around your home, and why you should want to get rid of these pests as quickly as possible. Finally, we’ll discuss some prevention tips you can use and how the pros at The Eco Man Pest Solutions can help you get rid of fire ants from your Durham home for good.

Key Characteristics Of Fire Ants: A Guide To Accurate Identification 

As mentioned above, one of the defining characteristics of fire ants is their ability to sting. These stings are also referred to as bites sometimes. But you don’t want to wait until a fire ant stings you to identify these pests. You can most easily distinguish fire ants by their reddish-brown or reddish-yellow color. Like most other ant species, their bodies are separated into three distinct segments and have a generally oval shape. They are usually between an eighth of an inch and three-eighths of an inch long. They have six legs and two short antennae. 

When keeping an eye out for fire ants, pay close attention to places where you are most likely to find them. These places include near structural foundations, in soil, or near the bases of trees and shrubs. They usually make their nests under objects that provide ample protection, such as rocks or thick grass. Fire ant nests tend to be mounds that take an irregular, flat shape and are between two and four square feet in size. They are often attracted to structures like electrical boxes and air conditioning units, which can allow them easy access into your home. If you find a fire ant mound in your yard, you should be very careful. Let’s talk about why.

The Dangers Of Fire Ant Infestations: Understanding The Risks

Fire ants tend to be rather territorial, so they are likely to sting anyone who disturbs their nests. You might also stumble onto a nest without knowing that it’s there, increasing your chances of getting stung. A fire ant sting will often cause a great deal of pain, along with a raised welt that can turn into a white pustule.

The danger of fire ant stings is not being stung by just one, but by many. Each ant can deliver multiple stings in quick succession, and fire ants can rapidly communicate distress throughout the colony, resulting in even more ants coming to aid the first. Fire ant colonies can also be quite difficult to get rid of, as they usually have multiple queens, and their colonies tend to extend beneath the ground. In the next section, we’ll look at how to get rid of fire ants on your property.

Effective Fire Ant Prevention Strategies: Safeguarding Your Home

Fire ants will often reinvade areas that they previously infested, making getting rid of them quite a chore. There are a few things that you can do to make your home and yard less of a target for these pests, however.

These include:

• Search the exterior of your home for any cracks or entry points and seal them.
• Inspect your property frequently for signs of fire ant nests.
• Substances like boric acid and orange oil may help repel ants.
• If you find signs of a fire ant infestation, contact a professional pest control service to help you remove them.

Homeowners aren’t likely to be able to remove these pests all on their own. A professional fire ant control service like The Eco Man Pest Solutions can help you get rid of them for good.

Professional Ant Control: Eliminate A Fire Ant Infestation

If you’re sick of fire ants in Durham, just call our team at The Eco Man Pest Solutions. We’re a family-owned pest control company with over 25 years of experience helping homeowners.

We’re dedicated to providing eco-friendly pest control solutions that will keep you and your family healthy and safe from pests long-term. To get rid of fire ants, call Eco Man Pest Solutions today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Durham.