Most people don’t welcome insects into their homes with open arms, but a species that will really get the red light is red fire ants! Native to South America, these little critters have made their way into other areas of the world. Aggressive and angry, with a painful sting, they’re not exactly the type of insects you want as a house guest!
Learning more about them and how they live will help you develop an ant pest control plan to keep them away from your house all year!
Where Do Fire Ants Live?
You’ll need to know where fire ants live if you want your pest control treatments to be successful. The most obvious sign of a fire ant infestation is a mound on the ground, Usually in open, sunny areas, such as lawns, fields, or construction sites. They can grow quite large, with some reaching 18 inches tall! There are no visible entry points because they enter and exit through the underground tunnels connected to the mounds.
Wthin the mounds are complex nests with multiple chambers that fire ants use to raise their young, store food, and shelter the queen. They also know how to relocate quickly following disturbances, which means if you don’t destroy the queen when you destroy the mound, another one will likely pop up close by!
If you spot a mound, approach it carefully! Fire ants are notoriously aggressive and will sting with no warning. Their stings often cause itchy, painful welts.
Year-Round Fire Ant Prevention Tips
While there are some season-specific things to do to prevent yourself from finding red fire ants in your home, there are some DIY tactics that you can apply at any time. Learn how to get rid of fire ants and protect your house with these easy tips!
Seal Entry Points
One of the most important and often overlooked pest control prevention techniques involves making your home hard to enter in the first place!
A few times a year, make it a habit to inspect your home, looking for any cracks in your property’s foundation, outdoor walls, and windows. If you notice any, seal them properly with caulk or another appropriate sealant.
Remove Food Sources
Fire ants are just like any other insect. They’re going to go where their food is. To keep them away from your home, keep your outdoor areas free of food crumbs, pet food, and fallen or rotten fruit. You should also tightly seal trash bins and immediately clean up any spilled liquids while dining outside.
Maintain Landscaping
Maintaining your landscaping is another important part of a successful pest control plan. Regularly trimming your bushes, mowing your lawn, and keeping up with your garden will get rid of insect breeding sites. You should also avoid overwatering your lawns and gardens. Fire ants thrive in moist environments, so if your lawn is consistently damp, it’s the perfect place to call home.
Seasonal Fire Ant Prevention Strategies
Now that you know some general, year-round pest control strategies, let’s look at what you can do when the weather changes.
Winter
Since it is so cold outside, red fire ants are generally less active in the winter. Use this time to find dormant mounds and apply fire ant bait to remove their habitat without the fear of being stung.
As they try to stay warm, cold weather will also drive them further underground or inside your home. This is a great time to address those underground infestations and indoor activity.
Spring/Summer
As the weather starts to warm up, fire ants will become more active. To eliminate any active mounds, spread fire ant insect granules made with insecticides over the area. Since they are poisonous, follow the directions on the package and use a small, hand-held spreading tool to avoid touching the insecticide with your bare hands. Granules are most effective when applied to dry soil during the early morning or evening hours. With early detection and targeted treatments, you can have a summer free of fire ant stings!
Fall
As the summer fades into fall, prevention is key! Keep fire ants from returning in the spring by disrupting soil and applying outdoor pesticides. This will make it harder for them to create a safe space to make it through the winter.
Fall is also a great time to prepare your property for a long winter. Focus on tasks such as removing leaf litter or organic debris that may harbor ants through the colder months.
What Kills Fire Ants Immediately?
If your fire ant problem is past the prevention stage, don’t worry! There are plenty of things you can do to kill them immediately.
Immediate Solutions for Fire Ant Control
If you stumble upon a fire ant colony, your best bet is to get rid of it quickly! There are three main options for quick fire ant pest control: hot water treatments, insecticides, and baiting. Depending on the size of your colony and your properties’ needs, one may be a better option than another.
Hot water treatments work by pouring boiling water directly onto the mound. While this is a great option for small infestations that are mostly surface level, it will only kill the ants that the water can reach. Depending on how deep the mound is, this may mean it won’t reach the queen. Without killing the queen, the colony can still come back to thrive again.
On the other hand, insecticides can kill both worker ants and the queen, making it a good option for deeper mounds or more extensive infestations. Available in several forms, including dust, granules, or liquids, it’s important that you follow the directions on the package if you don’t opt for professional fire ant pest control treatment.
The third option, baiting, is when you mix insecticide with ant food. The worker ants will take the infected food back to their colony to share with other ants and the queen. Once they all consume the food, the poison will kill them. The timing and placement is the most important aspect of baiting. You want to make sure you put it somewhere the fire ants will notice it!
Depending on your needs, each of these three options can work to control your fire ant population.
Keep Outdoor Fire Ants from Getting Inside – Call Mosquito Joe Today!
If your fire ant infestation has ground too large for DIY solutions, or if you just don’t want to take the risk, call in the pros! Our Mosquito Joe® services have the solutions you need to effectively remove fire ants and other insects from your property.
Protecting your family and friends from dangerous and painful stings is more manageable with pest control treatments backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise® and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee.
Don’t spend another minute worrying about red fire ants or other unwanted insect visitors. Request a free estimate to explore your pest control options today!
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
