Fire ants are an unwelcome sight, especially if you’ve ever been stung by one. When fire ants take over the yard, they not only ruin your family’s outdoor enjoyment but also damage your property. They build mounds in lawns and gardens and are known to damage electrical equipment while nesting. Busy ants work quickly, so it’s important to control them before the infestation escalates. You can rely on your local Mosquito Squad® Plus for effective fire ant treatment and tips to deter future colonies from your property.
While most fire ant tunnels are only a few inches deep, tunnels can reach depths of ten or more feet! These deep and complex tunnels often require professional pest intervention.
Fire ants are aggressive insects that bite and sting. They are a reddish-brown color and are especially common in warm climates. Fire ants build large, dome-shaped mounds and are very territorial. They are known to attack in large numbers when their mound is disturbed. Their sting can cause itching, swelling, and allergic reactions.
Like many insects that live in a colony, fire ants have a queen, the most important member of the colony and the only reproductive female. The queen fire ant is responsible for laying eggs and keeping the population growing. Queen fire ants are larger than other fire ants and have a darker red-brown body with a more rounded abdomen.
Fire ant mounds are usually dome-shaped and can be anywhere from a few inches to over a foot tall if left undisturbed. Mounds are typically made of loose soil and, unlike many other ant mounds, don’t always have a visible hole at the top. Fire ants enter through underground tunnels. Mounds are usually built in open and sunny areas like lawns, fields, and sidewalks. They commonly appear after rainfall when soil is looser.
If a different type of ant is invading your property, get to know our general ant control service and common types of ants we treat.
If you are not fully satisfied with your service, contact your Mosquito Squad office and we will make it right!
Our GuaranteeDon’t let fire ants keep you from enjoying your yard! Let the pros at Mosquito Squad® Plus provide you with reliable fire ant control services so you can stop battling these aggressive insects. Contact your local team at (877) 332-2239 or request a cost-free quote online to learn more.
They do both! Fire ants bite and sting, but it's their sting that causes the infamous burning sensation. They use their mandibles, or jaws, to bite and hold onto their target. Then they use their stinger to inject venom.
To treat a fire ant bite, clean the bite with soap and water to prevent infection. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and relieve the burning feeling. Antihistamines and hydrocortisone cream can also help manage itching and inflammation. Avoid scratching. If you are experiencing a severe reaction, like difficulty breathing or swelling beyond the bite area, you may be having an allergic reaction and should seek medical attention.
Fire ants eat plants and animals, including insects, spiders, seeds, fruits, and sugary substances like nectar or honeydew from aphids. They’re also known to scavenge human food. Make sure you properly seal food to avoid attracting fire ants.
Only reproductive male and female fire ants have wings. Reproductive fire ants fly away from their colony to mate and start a new colony. After mating, the male dies, and the fertilized female loses her wings and begins building new nests for her eggs. This female becomes the queen fire ant of their new colony.
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