Fire ants are no joke, named for their fiery red appearance and painful stings with a burning sensation. Unlike other ant species, fire ants are not just a nuisance pest. Ants are social insects; they depend on each other for survival, colonies of thousand work as one. If disturbed, most ant species will not react aggressively.
However, fire ants will attack almost anything that is threatening them. In South Carolina, fire ants are most active Spring through Fall, which is also when people are most active outside. Because of this, you should know the dangers of fire ants in Sumter County.
Identifying Fire Ants
Fire ants are 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch in size and will be reddish with either brown or black. Most animal colonies are made up of different members. Their colonies contain a reproductive queen, wingless worker ants, and winged males that reproduce with the queen for fire ants. However, fire ants are different from other ant species because colonies can have multiple queens.
Often, fire ants can be identified by their nests and behavior. Fire ants create mounds, not anthills. Mounds differ from anthills because they idolize tunnels that can reach several feet away rather than an opening on a hill. Fire ant mounds can be up to 18 inches high and are often found after rain, in moist areas, and in open spaces. The main priority of worker ants is to protect the queen, which means they will swarm and attack in the thousands if they sense danger.
Dangers of Fire Ants
It is no secret that fire ants are dangerous. They attack in large numbers, resulting in multiple stings that cause a burning sensation. For people that have an allergic reaction to fire ant stings, it can cause a severe reaction. Anaphylaxis is possible and can be life-threatening. In some cases, emergency medical help is needed. If the following symptoms occur, you should see medical attention:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Trouble breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Swelling of the tongue and throat
Other Problems Of Fire Ants
Fire ants can be further problematic because they are impossible to get rid of. Their colonies are large, made up of thousands of individual ants. Because of their tunneling mounds that reach several feet out, they disperse and recolonize easily. Multiple queens in a fire ant colony make it more challenging to eliminate them because you have to get rid of all the queens to get rid of the colony.
The only effective way to eliminate a fire ant colony is with professional assistance. Store brought products just don’t cut it when it comes to fire ants. Not only are store-bought products ineffective, but it is also dangerous to approach a fire ant mound if you do not have the proper training to handle them.
Professional Fire Ant Control
The best way to handle a fire ant infestation is with professional assistance. If you are in Sumter County, South Carolina, you should contact Sumter Pest Management to take care of your fire ant problem.
Sumter Pest Management has a combined 25+ years of pest management experience and is a trusted locally owned and operated company. We are dedicated to our customers and providing the best service at the best value. With Sumter Pest Management, you can expect personalized attention that gets to the root of your problems and meets your specific needs.
Don’t try and get rid of fire ants on your own unless you want to experience the fiery sting of hundreds of ants. Call Sumter Pest Management today to get started on your home pest control services.