Ants are known to invade homes and contaminate food. Nobody wants to see ants around their home. But seeing fire ants can cause homeowners to feel a whole new level of fear. These tiny bugs are small, but they can cause a lot of problems for you and your pets if they invade your yard.
At ProCare Pest Services, our Marietta pest control technicians have over a decade of experience dealing with fire ants in this area. We understand how the humid and hot summer months can affect the fire ants' behavior, and we know how to stop these aggressive ants in their tracks.
Key Characteristics Of Fire Ants: A Guide To Accurate Identification
If you can get a closer look at a fire ant, you will see a few distinct characteristics other types of ants don't have. For example, all ants have a thin structure between the thorax and the abdomen called the pedicel. Most people refer to this part as the ant's "waist." On a fire ant, however, the pedicel is separated into two segments, making it look like there are two bumps between the abdomen and thorax. Other distinguishing features that fire ants have include two long antennae separated into ten segments and a small but sharp stinger at the end of their body.
The easiest way to identify fire ants is by looking at their nest. Fire ants will build sizeable outdoor ant mounds over 18 inches high and two feet wide. If you see these extra-large fire ant mounds in your yard, stay as far away as possible.
The Dangers Of Fire Ant Infestations: Understanding The Risks
Fire ants in Marietta can become extremely aggressive if you accidentally disturb their nest. Several hundred fire ants can attack at once. They can both bite and sting at the same time. Often, afire ant will bite down on your skin to maintain stability. They will then pivot around your skin, stinging multiple times.
Most of the time, the effects of fire ant venom are mild and only cause minor pain, itching, and swelling. However, many people are allergic to fire ant venom, and for them, one fire ant sting can cause severe, life-threatening symptoms.
Effective Fire Ant Prevention Strategies: Safeguarding Your Home
While fire ants will rarely come into your home, several things can attract them to your yard. Some of the effective strategies that you can try to keep fire ants away from your property include:
- Keep the grass cut short and your yard well-maintained
- Pick up any rotten fruit that has fallen off the fruit trees
- Keep all shrubs and bushes cut back away from your house
- Make sure that there are no piles of leaves or other debris in your yard
The best way to naturally prevent fire ants from invading your property is to keep your yard as clean and clutter-free as possible. Fire ants are less likely to invade a well-maintained yard.
Professional Ant Control: Eliminate A Fire Ant Infestation
While the preventive measures listed above are helpful, they aren't 100% effective at keeping fire ants away. If, despite your best efforts, these bothersome ants were able to find their way into your yard, ProCare Pest Services can help with fire ant control in Marietta. Our experienced technicians will eliminate the dangerous fire ant mounds from your home and work with you to devise a plan to prevent the fire ants from invading your Marietta property again. Give us a call today to schedule your inspection and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Marietta.