How Dangerous Are Fire Ants in Hot Springs AR?
July 15, 2021 - Ants
As the name would suggest, fire ants are easily identified by their fiery reddish-brown coloring as well as the warm climates they prefer, like those found in Hot Springs. They are dangerous for several reasons, including their knack for removing insulation from telephone wires and their sting being powerful enough to kill young wildlife.
At only ¼ inch in length, this minuscule pest is one of the most dreaded. When in attack mode, fire ants first grip their prey, then direct their venom through their stingers.
Fire Ant Dangers
Most people remark that being stung by a fire ant is one of the most unpleasant experiences due to the sheer pain of the act itself. While being stung by fire ants, there is a high concentration of venom going straight into your bloodstream. Fire ants will attack if they feel that their nest has been threatened or disturbed, making the chances of being stung in Hot Springs very high.
Each sting results in white pustules and red bumps, and can even cause side effects like:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Itching
- Allergic reactions
- In some very severe cases, death by allergic reaction
Fire ant stings are also extra dangerous to children and pets. What’s even worse is that fire ants attack in large numbers, making a seemingly small problem into a big one.
Did you know that fire ant colonies can contain anywhere from 20,000 to 500,000 members? That raises your odds of getting stung by many ants, which can prove very painful, and even serious for those with preexisting allergies.
How Do I Know if I Have Fire Ants?
Hot Springs residents are most likely to spot fire ants outside, burrowed in dirt. But don’t be fooled, they can undoubtedly make their way inside your home as well.
Fire ants are most clearly identified by the mounds that they construct above ground as a form of protection for their nests. They’re dome-like and can also resemble overworked soil. This is a pest that will explode out of its mounds and sting when threatened, and said stings can leave behind a slew of uncomfortable side effects.
What Should I Do If I Have Fire Ants?
If you’ve noticed dome-shaped mounds popping up in your yard or spotted reddish-brown ants marching across your Hot Springs property, it’s important to act quickly, but carefully. The last thing you want to do is disturb a fire ant mound and find yourself on the receiving end of thousands of painful stings.
Here’s what you should do:
- Keep your distance. Avoid stepping on or near any mounds you discover.
- Keep children and pets away. Fire ant stings are especially dangerous to little ones and furry family members.
- Don’t attempt DIY removal. While it may be tempting to pour boiling water or home remedies on the mound, these methods rarely eliminate the entire colony.
- Call the professionals. Fire ants require expert treatment to fully eradicate them.
Why Getting Rid of Fire Ants is Difficult on Your Own
Fire ants are a dangerous pest that you should not attempt to eradicate without the assistance of a professional. There are a handful of natural remedies often suggested, but none of them are truly effective in removing the entire issue that is plaguing your Hot Springs property.
An infestation proves to be difficult to handle because of:
- Size: The size of a single colony of fire ants can be anywhere up to half a million ants, so while you may manage to eliminate some ants, you’re unlikely to make even a significant dent in a colony’s population.
- Social Factor: Did you know that a fire ant colony contains multiple queens? If just one queen gets left behind, that’s enough to start a new colony.
- Recolonization: If a fire ant colony isn’t dealt with properly, the ants will create another colony elsewhere on your property.
Hot Springs’ Ant Exterminators
Fire ants are a pest that can prove very dangerous to encounter and are nearly impossible to eliminate on your own. They may even prove deadly to those with preexisting allergies.
The best way to handle a fire ant infestation is with professional assistance from the team at Advanced Pest Control. So call us today for an inspection to get started with our home pest control or commercial pest management services.
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