The Trick To Keeping Fire Ants Off Your Dallas Property

Although most ants are relatively harmless, fire ants are on a different level. Rather than invading kitchens, they build nests outdoors, and they sting. Fire ants can be difficult for Dallas homeowners to remove on their own, which is why Addison Green Lawn specializes in fire ant removal. Our Dallas pest control is specially designed to protect your home from fire ants. Call today to learn more. 

Are All Red Ants Considered Fire Ants?

Even though ants are generally thought of as only being black or dark brown, there is actually a lot of color variance across species. There are many types of ants that can be red, not just fire ants. So, if you can’t tell them apart by color, how do you know if you have fire ants around your Dallas home?

Fire ants build mound nests outdoors, unlike other types. Most household ants will build their nests inside or, if outdoors, then the nests will be hidden – inside a tree stump or under the pavement. But fire ant nests look like big piles of dirt, underneath which there are tunnels and spaces for the ants to live. 

How Harmful Are Fire Ants?

One other feature that sets fire ants apart from others is the fact that fire ants sting. These stings can be painful and often result in a red, raised welt. Some people who have allergies to other insect bites and stings may also be allergic to fire ant stings. People are often stung by multiple fire ants at once as they swarm out of the nest in response to a threat. Fire ants are also each able to sting multiple times. This means that you need to be extremely careful when trying to remove a nest. Otherwise, you run the risk of the fire ants defending themselves and their home. 

Is There Any Way To Kill Fire Ants Instantly?

The best fire ant treatments do not kill the ants instantly. Instead, they work to reach the colony’s queen, which will then cause the rest of the ants to die off. Baits and poisons are most effective when they work on this time delay, allowing the workers to bring the poison to the queen. Treatments that claim to instantaneously kill a whole fire ant colony run the risk of not actually reaching every ant, which then allows the colony to regrow. Home remedies, such as pouring boiling water over the nest, can be effective for some of the ants but are unlikely to destroy a whole ant colony. 

If you see a fire ant mound in your yard, there are some precautions you can take to prevent stings.

• Seal any cracks or holes in the walls of your home.
• Wear protective clothing and shoes near the nest.
• Avoid the nest as much as possible.
• Be careful when picking items up off the ground.

The only way to truly avoid fire ant stings is to avoid their nests. But that isn’t always possible, so there are extra things you can do to protect yourself. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, shoes, and gloves when outside near a known ant mound can prevent stings since the ants will have a harder time stinging through the clothing. If you’re picking items up off the ground outside, wear protective gloves and be aware that fire ants may be underneath the item. Seal any cracks or holes in the walls of your home to make sure the ants don’t come inside. 

Your best option for fire ant control is through a professional pest management company. This will ensure that the entire colony is gone and you can avoid being stung. 

How To Eradicate A Fire Ant Infestation

Addison Green Lawn is your best option for fire ant treatment in Dallas. We offer effective and affordable fire ant control that keeps these ants from returning or entering your home. Plus, we prioritize environmental protection, so you don’t need to worry about our treatments damaging your lawn or the earth. For high-quality fire ant control in Dallas, call Addison Green Lawn today.