Why Fire Ants Attack And How To Prevent Them
As winter gives way to spring, homeowners will begin preparing their yards and gardens for the warm months ahead. This means performing tasks such as landscaping, mowing, and insect control for pests like fire ants. A significant concern for both health and safety reasons, fire ants can quickly become an extensive problem if not treated promptly and efficiently. By the time those tell-tale mounds are seen popping up in a yard, these pests have already been hard at work, building an extensive system that exists beneath the surface. Taking quick and thoughtful action is imperative for your family’s safety.
Why Homeowners Should Be Concerned About Fire Ants
It’s common knowledge that fire ants pose some serious health risks. The sting of a fire ant can cause a range of symptoms, from swelling and itching at the sting site in some to full anaphylaxis in others. The severity of the reaction will depend on factors such as individual allergies and the number of stings. For those most sensitive to fire ant venom, potentially severe complications can occur, including:
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
Why And How Do Fire Ants Attack?
Simply put, fire ants attack when disturbed and go into self-defense mode. Accidentally stepping on a fire ant mound is the most common cause of an attack. When this occurs, fire ants will swarm, crawling on their victim and launching a coordinated attack in which they all sting at once. The more ants that can attack, the more severe the potential allergic reaction will be. Furthermore, fire ants are not a one-sting-and-done type creature such as a honeybee. These pests can repeatedly sting in a matter of seconds.
How To Kill And Prevent Fire Ants
Protecting yourself and loved ones from the dangerous sting of fire ants means killing off any existing colonies and taking measures to prevent the development of new ones. To do this, you must first use insecticides explicitly designed to address fire ant populations. While you may be able to find such products at a local store, their effectiveness will last for 3 to 6 months at best before fire ants are once again a nuisance. Seeking the help of professionals such as those at Chorbie means that your yard will be treated with professional-grade insecticides. These will not only fully eradicate current colonies across your entire yard but will also prevent new ones for up to one full year, giving you extended peace of mind and avoiding the hassle of repeated treatments.
If fire ants have become an unsightly and unsafe presence in your yard, contact Chorbie to learn more about our fire ant treatment services and complete satisfaction guarantee.
