Several species of ants in Austin call this area home. Many cause trouble inside or around area homes. One species you should know about is the fire ant. This painful pest loves to build its nests in yards and will even invade homes from time to time. Some common questions about these pests might include — what do fire ants look like, what attracts fire ants to area properties, and are fire ants dangerous? We are here today to answer these questions and discuss what methods work best to keep these pests off your Austin property.
What Do Fire Ants Look Like?
Fire ants are on the smaller side for area ants. You can identify a fire ant on your property by its red and black coloration, round head, and protruding mandibles. If you cannot identify this pest by these features, look at its nest. Fire ants build their nests out of mounds of dirt as other ants do, but their hills lack a hole in the middle. Instead, they have small entry points around their base.
What Attracts Fire Ants To Properties?
Fire ants are fairly simple pests. They build their homes in areas that are warm, sunny, and close to food sources. What do fire ants eat? Well, these invasive insects are big fans of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and sugars. If these pests are on your property, they will feed on things like left-out food, dropped fruits, garden vegetables, insects, berries, and pet food. Fire ants also need moisture, but not as much as they need food.
Are Fire Ants Dangerous?
Fire ants are the most dangerous species of ants in our area. Something you might be wondering is — do fire ants bite or sting; unfortunately, they do both. These pests do not just bite their prey; they also inject them with a venom that causes immediate pain, burning, and a residual itching and warm sensation that lasts for a few days. If you have any allergies to insect venom, an attack from these pests could be serious for you. Make sure you understand your risk by consulting your doctor. If you have been bitten by these pests and are looking for what to put on fire ant bites to make them hurt less, we recommend starting with an ice pack to reduce swelling and provide a comforting cooling sensation. After this, apply hydrocortisone cream around the area of the bites to help with the itching.
Are Fire Ants Hard To Eliminate?
In most cases, DIY ant control is difficult but doable with the right knowledge and tools. Fire ant control is a bit different because fire ant colonies have multiple queens. If a nest is attacked or threatened, its queens will scatter and establish new nests nearby. This activity makes controlling these painful pests incredibly difficult for anyone who is untrained.
What You Should Know About Professional Fire Ant Control
If you are looking for a good way to keep fire ants off your Austin property, your absolute best option is to hire the experts at EnviroGuard. We are trained in ant control methods and have the advanced tools and treatments needed to properly eliminate fire ants from your property. We also offer a complete pest control package to ensure other common area pests stay out of your indoor living areas.
Contact our team today to find out more about our ant control services for your Austin home and schedule your property for a visit.