How to Get Rid of Fire Ants
Key Takeaways
- You get rid of fire ants on your own by using solutions such as boiling water and diatomaceous earth.
- To make sure you don’t get stung, work in cooler temperatures, don’t stand on the ant mound, and wear protective clothing.
- You can prevent fire ants by keeping materials like mulch away from your house and maintaining landscaping.
- Professional ant treatment is always the best option because exterminators have the exact knowledge, methods, and tools to eliminate ant colonies.
Those of us who have dealt with fire ants before know that they’re a problem you don’t want to have. Fire ants are very protective of their nest. If you disturb their colony, they will be quick to bite and sting, causing allergic reactions in many. With symptoms like nausea, dizziness, throat swelling, and breathing troubles leading from these allergic reactions, it’s important to learn how to get rid of red ants safely.
Read on to learn how to control fire ants in Louisiana from our ant exterminators at Ja-Roy Pest Control!
Ways to Get Rid of Fire Ants on Your Own
Many people look for options to kill fire ants naturally when they find them on their property. There are two main methods of natural fire ant control that can work:
- Diatomaceous earth: When ants walk across diatomaceous earth, the crystals within crack the ants’ outer shells, causing them to slowly lose moisture and die of dehydration. This method works well only if you know exactly where the ant activity is and place your diatomaceous earth accordingly.
- Boiling water: Pouring boiling water down fire ant hills will surely wipe out most (if not all) of the active ants. Be careful, though, because boiling water will also kill nearby plants that it hits. This might not be the best solution for getting rid of fire ants in your lawn.
You also have the option to use store-bought insecticide sprays or baits to get rid of fire ants. While these are effective, they can be dangerous for children, pets, and your lawn if you use them incorrectly. It’s best to consult an expert before using chemical products.
How to Get Rid of Fire Ants Without Getting Stung
Here are some tips to stay safe while dealing with these pests:
- Wear protective clothing. Put on long pants, closed-toe shoes, and tall socks before going near a fire ant mound.
- Work when temperatures are cooler. Fire ants are less active during early mornings or late evenings when it’s cooler outside.
- Never stand on or near the ant mound. Fire ants can climb up your legs in seconds.
Even with these precautions, treating fire ants yourself can be risky. One wrong move and you could end up with dozens of painful stings.
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How to Prevent Fire Ants
Although it can be hard to maintain a fire ant-free yard, there are a few steps you can take to prevent them from settling on your property in the first place. It’s important to deny them food, water, and opportunities for shelter. Here are a few ways you can do so:
- Keep your trees, bushes, and plants trimmed.
- Pick ripe fruit from your trees and collect any that has fallen.
- Keep mulch away from the foundation of your home and spread evenly.
Make sure to check around your yard often for newly-formed dirt mounds. Finding red ants around a small dirt hill is a sure sign of a fire ant colony.
DIY vs Professional Fire Ant Extermination
The truth is, fire ant colonies can have hundreds of thousands of ants and multiple queens. If you don’t eliminate the queen, the colony will bounce right back.
DIY Fire Ant Control:
- Costs less upfront
- Requires multiple treatments over time
- May only kill ants you can see, not the whole colony
- Can be dangerous if products are used wrong
- Often provides only short-term results
Professional Fire Ant Extermination:
- Targets the entire colony, including the queen
- Uses commercial-grade products that work faster and last longer
- Includes expert knowledge of fire ant behavior
- Saves you time and keeps you safe from stings
- Often comes with guarantees for lasting protection
Our trained technicians at Ja-Roy Pest Control know exactly where to treat and how to make sure the whole colony is destroyed.
Stay Safe From Fire Ants
If you want to ensure that your fire ants are gone and not coming back, reach out to your local ant exterminators. Our team at Ja-Roy Pest Control has helped home and business owners all around Louisiana get rid of fire ants and teach them how to keep them away on their own.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our fire ant control services and get a free estimate!
FAQs
Why are there so many red ants in my house?
Fire ants prefer to live outdoors, but they may come inside your home looking for food, water, or shelter. During hot, dry weather or heavy rainstorms, fire ants often move indoors to escape harsh conditions.
Why do fire ants keep coming back?
Fire ant colonies can be huge and spread deep underground, making them hard to fully eliminate. Also, fire ants from nearby properties can easily move into your yard once their old colony is gone. This is why ongoing, professional treatments work better than one-time DIY solutions.
What is the best home remedy for ant bites?
Here’s what you can do at home to take care of an ant bite:
- Wash the area with soap and water right away.
- Apply a cold pack wrapped in a cloth to reduce swelling.
- Use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to stop the itching.
- Take an antihistamine if the itching is really bad.
- Try not to scratch the bites, as this can lead to infection.
Seek medical attention right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, like trouble breathing, dizziness, or swelling in your face or throat.