Anyone who has had the unfortunate experience of receiving a fire ant bite most likely understands why they are given their name. Fire ant bites are no joke, they are extremely painful, and the sting can last for days. Fire ants can also cause damage to your property. For these reasons, it is important to take preventative measures to reduce the chance that these invasive pests will target your home. Some practical ways to keep fire ants away from your home or property include:
- Applying diatomaceous earth around your property to damage and kill fire ants.
- Pouring boiling water on fire ant mounds on your yard or property to destroy their colonies
- Spraying white vinegar on ants to kill them on contact
If you see fire ants in your home or have spotted fire ant mounds in your yard, feel free to reach out to Innovative Pest Solutions for expert advice on the necessary next steps to safeguard your home.
What Do Fire Ants Look Like?
Fire ants are extremely problematic pests, but at least they are easily identifiable with distinguishing physical characteristics. The main way to identify fire ants is by the color of their bodies; these ants are a dark shade of red, almost brown in some cases. They are often confused with common red ants, which are generally a lighter shade of red. Another key way to identify fire ants is the shape of their body. Unlike other types of ants, fire ants have a two-segmented pedicel that looks like two bumps on the fire ant’s body.
How Dangerous Are Fire Ant Bites?
One of the worst parts of dealing with fire ants on your property is the potential of being bitten. Fire ants have a stinger attached to their bodies, and when they bite, they inject venom that can cause a burning sensation and intense pain, which is how they get their name. These bites generally do not cause any serious or long-term effects, although a fire ant bite can be life-threatening to those allergic to its venom. For most people, the bites are extremely unpleasant and can cause sores to appear that last for a few days.
Is It Possible To Have An Allergic Reaction To Fire Ants?
While a severe allergic reaction to a fire ant bite is rare, it does happen, and it is crucial to be aware of the signs to look out for. Common signs of a serious allergic reaction to fire ant venom are:
- Dizziness
- Hives
- Tightening of the chest
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
Difficulty breathing
Due to the possibility of a dangerous reaction, it is vital to take all possible efforts to avoid fire ant bites. If you or your family experience any of these symptoms after being bitten by a fire ant, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention.
Fire Ant Prevention Tips
While using practical pest control measures effectively reduces the chances of a fire ant or other pest infestation, if you find yourself facing an infestation of fire ants on your property, professional pest control services are required. These ants live in huge colonies with thousands of individual ants and are impossible to handle on your own once they have invaded your home or property.
Innovative Pest Solutions, a company that specializes in all types of pest control, has been serving the communities of Raleigh and the surrounding areas since 2002 to help keep families safe and healthy by getting rid of dangerous pests. Contact us today to consult with our expert team of pest technicians to create a plan to solve a fire ant infestation or any other pest problem you are dealing with. We offer free estimates on our services and guarantee an exceptional customer service experience.
