If you have lived in Ventura County long enough, you know by now that fire ants are not friendly. Despite being tiny, fire ants are vicious and capable of causing a fair amount of pain and discomfort. Have enough bad encounters with them and you might start avoiding any place that even appears like it might have fire ants. This is the last thing we want for you on your own property. To help you fight back against these little ankle-biting pests, here is everything you need to know about fire ants.
What Sets Fire Ants Apart From Other Ants?
It doesn’t take an entomologist to tell that fire ants are different from other ant species. Where most ants here in Ventura County only want to steal your food, it seems fire ants’ only goal in life is to destroy your grass and cause you harm. Why is this the case? The truth is fire ants do not originate from the US but rather from South America. This has a huge effect on their biology and explains why they possess a sting capable so they can kill other insects and eat them as food. What might surprise you is that a fire ant’s sting is the only real thing that sets it apart from other local ant species.
Are Fire Ants Dangerous?
Compared to other ants, fire ants are quite dangerous. For one, victims attacked by fire ants are rarely stung just once, but rather several times. This can create areas of uncomfortable and painful raised welts around affected body parts. For individuals allergic to fire ant venom, being stung can result in a more severe reaction. We advise talking to your doctor to make sure you know if you are at risk.
The biggest problem that comes from fire ant bites, typically, is infections due to over itching bites. To minimize your risk of infection after being bitten, we recommend applying a cold press to fresh welts and hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching.
How You Can Prevent Fire Ants
We wish there was an easy, do-it-yourself method for dealing with fire ants, like spraying your lawn with water or stomping on the ground around fire ant mounds. Unfortunately, fire ants are about as difficult to eliminate as they come. For one, a single fire ant colony can stretch on under the ground for a great distance and can possess multiple queens. This means that even if you were to kill one queen, others would still be able to reproduce and continue to expand the colony.
There are a few ways you can stop fire ants from wandering into your home. To do this we recommend using a caulking gun to seal up gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation. Along with this, consider investing in fire ant proof covers for weep holes along your home’s exterior.
The Only Way To Treat For Fire Ants
There is only one effective way to deal with fire ants on your property, and that is with professional help. At Ventura County Pest Control, we know how to properly eliminate and deter fire ants from properties. With just one application, we can get your yard on its way to becoming fire ant-free. Our team is equipped with the tools and experience needed to handle any pest threatening you or your home.
Give us a call today to have questions answered or to schedule services for your Ventura County property. Your solution to pests is just a phone call away.
