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Few pests are capable of making property owners dance against their will; one is the fire ant. When these pests work together to attack feet and ankles, they incite a quick and jerky reaction from their victims. We like to call this jerking "The Ants Dance." If you would like to avoid doing The Ants Dance on your Houston property, we would like to help you out. Here is how to get rid of fire ants and some helpful tips and tricks you might want to know to keep these pests at bay.
Why Fire Ants Are Dangerous
Some pests sting. Some pests bite. Fire ants are one of the few pests that both sting and bite. When defending their colony, fire ants will use these abilities to fend off both predators and prey. If you happen to walk through their territory, they will be likely to crawl onto your feet and up your legs to find an area to attack.
Fire ant bites are not too painful and do not come with any serious side effects. It is this pest’s sting that packs the most punch. A fire ant sting feels like a sharp pinch followed by burning pain (thus, the name "fire" ant) and then itchiness. Individuals who are allergic to insect venom may go into anaphylactic shock after being stung by these pests.
Do Fire Ants Invade Homes?
Of all the ants in our area, fire ants are one of the least likely to invade homes. This doesn’t mean, however, that they never come indoors. Fire ants break into homes when conditions outdoors are negative to their health or when other situations threaten their colony.
Some Prevention Tips For Fire Ants
There are many strategies to reduce your chances of finding fire ants on your property. Because these pests invade homes on occasion, we will also be giving you some exclusion tips to try. That said, here are some great places to begin.
- Rake up leaves and keep your yard clear of clutter and debris.
- Trim back bushes and branches to make a two-foot dry perimeter around your home’s exterior.
- Make sure your trash cans are equipped with tight-fitting lids, and make sure to clean them regularly.
- Use a caulking gun to fill in gaps, holes, and cracks around window/door screens and in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Install door sweeps on all doors leading out of your home.
- Repair damage to window/door screens.
Why Fire Ants Are Difficult To Eliminate
There are many reasons why fire ants are challenging pests to eliminate. The biggest reason is that the only way to exterminate a colony fully is to get every queen. If you didn’t know, fire ant colonies have multiple queens. If even one queen escapes treatment, then it will start up a sister nest nearby. It is not uncommon for attempted treatments to worsen fire ant infestations as new nests grow quickly.
What You Should Do About Fire Ants On Your Property
To make sure your fire ant infestation doesn’t get worse, get a professional involved. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we offer comprehensive pest control options to remove fire ants from properties and protect area homes from invasion. With a wide range of options to choose from and flexible services to fit your property’s individual needs, you can be sure your solution to pest problems lies with us.
Give our team a call today to walk you through your ant control options and find one that will best solve your Houston home’s fire ant problems.
