A Guide to Fire Ants: Identification, Prevention and Treatments

Fire ants are one of the biggest pest problems facing Floridians. They make their homes in yards and can be brought into your home if carried in on a family pet, and can even bite or sting your children and outdoor pets. These are tiny ants, but are invasive creatures that are named for their color and for their sting. One single bite from a fire ant will yield a large, red, welt, which is amplified if there are multiple ants in sight. However, the sting can easily be avoided by humans who stay clear of the nest. Your yard can be completely ruined by these incredibly powerful insects, even if you protect yourself. It’s important to put into place preemptive measures to safeguard your home and loved ones, while protecting your lawn from irreparable damage. Fire ants should be respected, as they are aggressive and can cause serious harm to everything they touch. Over 20 million Americans are stung by these insects every year. It’s crucial that you don’t ignore their presence, but seek professional help immediately to eradicate the source.

Identification

There are two main types of fire ants: imported and southern. There are a few small differences between the types; the southern type has an extra tooth and an additional tooth on the top segment near the back leg. The southern fire ant can be found all over the U.S. in warmer climates, from California to Florida and the Carolinas. Florida is known to have both types, which are comprised of the queen and the colony workers. The workers grow up to 1/4-inch in length, and the queen is much larger. Although fire ants may be thought to be red, a fire ant is actually black on the lower half with a pale red color on the head. They have long antennae and an off-shaped center section. The major way to indentify a fire ant is by the distinct stinger at the center of the backside. These ants come in swarms, and if you see just a few the colony will soon follow and ravage your entire lawn. They can even enter your home through gas pipes or other elements that lead into your house.

Prevention

There are a few different plants that you can place around your property that are known to naturally repel fire ants. Pennyroyal and peppermint repel ants and other insects when planted around the edge of property, while the essential oils from beautyberry repel the fire ants, deer ticks and mosquitoes. Wormwood and Southernwood grow best in sunny areas and have a similar effect. You can also try chemical methods as well, which your local pest control company can help determine for you.

Removal

Natural methods don’t actually work to kill fire ants, although they may deter these insects to another place on your property. Once you have identified a fire ant infestation, you need to immediately contact a professional pest control company. Choose one that has specific experience with red fire ants and will return to ensure they have properly performed the extermination. Ask for references and check with your neighbors as well. Chances are that your neighbor has fire ants if you do, and their property will also need to be treated to guarantee the ants are truly gone.

About the Author: Thomas M. Bird is a contributing author and general contractor. He safeguards all of the properties he builds from damage, but advises his clients to perform routine maintenance for pest prevention. To do so, he recommends Turner Pest Control for the best service in the Jacksonville area.