If you have ever been stung by an aggressive fire ant, you won’t likely forget it anytime soon. This species of ant is one of the only found in the United States that will actually attack you when their nest is disturbed. A-Tex Pest Management is here to talk about the aggressive fire ant and how you can avoid getting bitten by one of them.
Difference Between Red Ants & Fire Ants
There are many ant species that are red in color and hard to identify just based on their red hue. The biggest indicator you are dealing with fire ants is their aggressiveness. Fire ants are large ants and are a reddish-brown color. They can be up to ¼ inch. They create large mounds where they build their nests and you can’t miss them. Fire ants live in very large colonies that have multiple queens and as many as 250,000 workers. If you disturb their mounds or nests, they will become very aggressive and go into attack mode. They can be very dangerous and people have died after being stung by this aggressive insect.
Home Remedies for How to Get Rid of Fire Ants Naturally
Here are a few effective ways to get rid of this dangerous pest on your own:
• Diatomaceous Earth– This works because the crystals of silica injure the ant’s cuticle and they end up dying of dehydration. This is really only effective if you can contain the ants somehow. They will not try to eat this as food and will often just work around it. If you can have them in a closed container and sprinkle this in with them, about half of them will end up dying.
• Hot Water– This is a very eco-friendly way to get rid of a fire ant mound. The water needs to be at least scalding hot when poured on top of the mound. You may have to do this treatment 2 or 3 times to really get rid of them, and use 3-4 gallons of water each time. You should be careful though, hot water is known to kill grass and other landscaping so use with caution.
• Baking Soda and Vinegar– When you mix baking soda and vinegar it can be used to kill fire ants by pouring the mixture down the hole of the mound.
The danger of Fire Ant Bites
Even though it isn’t likely, you can die from getting bitten by multiple fire ants. The people that are at risk are those who are allergic to fire ant bites. Common symptoms of fire ant bites are pain, swelling, itchiness, and disorientation. If you are allergic to fire ant bites, you may experience shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and vomiting and you should seek medical advice right away.
Fire Ant Pest Inspections, Prevention & Control in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
If you have a fire ant problem, you should have it eliminated right away before someone gets hurt. A-Tex Pest Management can assist you in eradicating your fire ant problem for good. Don’t hesitate to call, it doesn’t take long for fire ants to take over your property.