July Pest of the Month: Fire Ant

Jul 8, 2013 | Fire Ant

Fire Ant

Brief description:

Fire ants get their name through their ability to inflict painful bites and stings.  They vary considerably in size and build large raised mounds in lawn areas.  One interesting fact about fire ants is they have been known to infest electrical boxes en masses, causing the equipment to malfunction.

Habits:

• Build nests in soil near structural foundations or in landscaping.
• Nests can be between 2 and 4 square feet in size.
• Although they typically make their nests outside, they can enter structures through HVAC systems, electrical lines, and even under siding.

Different species:

• Argentine ants
• Carpenter ants
• Odorous house ants
• Pavement ants
• Crazy ants
• Acrobat ants

Threats:

• Produce a painful sting when they feel threatened.
• Sting results in a painful, raised bump.
• Often receive more than one sting at a time.
• Devastates local insect populations and small wildlife when it invades an area.
• Many grouse and ground nesting bird species have been eliminated by fire ants when they attack newly hatched nestlings.

Prevention:

• Avoid fire ant mounds.
• Seal all entry points into a structure.
• Contact a licensed pest professional if you have fire ant nests in your lawn.

Other pests to look out for:

• Other species of ants listed above