If you have ever gotten everything ready for a picnic, only to have your blanket invaded by fire ants, then you know just how horrifying they can be. These potentially dangerous creatures can swarm up from the ground to sting repeatedly and ruin anyone's day. And while there may be nothing you can do about fire ants in public places, there is something you can do if you encounter these ants in your backyard.
What Are Fire Ants?
Fire ants are small, reddish-brown ants that can vary from 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch long. They have 2 nodes and have 2-segmented antennal clubs. Reportedly, these ants were brought, accidentally, into the country on a cargo boat from South America. First arriving in Alabama, they began spreading aggressively, but are still concentrated primarily in the South and Southeast. They have trouble establishing themselves in colder climates. With colonies comprised mostly of female workers, they can contain over 200,000 ants and one queen, who is responsible for laying all of the eggs to keep the colony going. Though these ants multiply relatively quickly, it can take several months for a colony to grow a mound that is large enough to be visible. Therefore, it is easy to disturb a colony without realizing it--which can result in multiple painful stings.
Fire Ant Control
When it comes to arresting a fire ant infestation, it is best to contact a pest control company. While there are some things a homeowner can do to resist these ants, DIY control often makes this pest problem worse. This is because some fire ant species have multiple queens, and pest control treatments can cause "budding" to occur. Budding is when a single colony splits in response to a perceived threat.
Aiken Pest Control has a history of exterminating fire ant problems from backyards, pastures, cemeteries, race tracks, and more. If you are experiencing fire ant problems in the Midlands of South Carolina or the Central Savannah River area, reach out to Aiken today for prompt assistance. With specialized treatments from Aiken Pest Control, you can live, every day of the year, without fire ants on your property. Treatments are done once, or twice, per year, depending on the size of your lot.
If you'd like more information about how fire ant treatments work or to establish service for your home, reach out to one of our pest control agents today.