Everyone wants to enjoy their yards and spend time outside doing things they love. Whether that’s gardening, hosting get-togethers, playing with your kids and pets, or simply enjoying some sun, there’s nothing worse when that sense of enjoyment is taken away by pests. Fire ants emphasize the importance of pest control in North Texas, as these nasty little ants are capable of causing a lot of pain and harm to both you and your pets. Read on to learn how to identify a fire ant infestation, as well as effective fire ant treatments in North Texas.
What Do Fire Ants Look Like?
Unfortunately, North Texas is home to many different kinds of ants, making it a bit more difficult to identify what type of ant infestation you have on your property.
Below are some of the identifying features of fire ants, which will hopefully help you better avoid them:
- Stinger: The stinger that all fire ants possess is probably their most defining characteristic. It is located on their back ends.
- Legs: With three legs on each side of its body, the fire ant has six legs in total.
- Size: Fire ants are just under 1/4 of an inch long, making them one of the smaller species of ants.
- Color: Despite being called ‘fire ants,’ the name does not come from their color, which is more of a dull red, almost brown color. The name comes from their bites, which are incredibly painful and feel almost like a burn.
No matter what type of ant infestation you have, getting professional help is always the best thing to do, especially if they are fire ants, as it takes special skills and tools to remove them safely.
How Dangerous Are Fire Ant Bites?
Fire ant bites are incredibly harmful. As a species, fire ants are more aggressive than other types and are especially so when they feel threatened. You are more likely to be stung on your feet and legs, and this usually happens because you have accidentally stepped on their mounds.
If you are unfortunate enough to experience fire ant bites, below are some of the things you may experience:
- Local reaction: The first thing that happens after a bite is called a local reaction. After getting bit, you will experience a burning sensation, leading to raised, red welts, and often excessive itchiness.
- Blistering: The next reaction is blistering. When this happens, you will feel even itchier than before. However, if you scratch too much, you may accidentally cause a secondary skin infection.
- Ability to sting more than once: One of the reasons fire ants are so dangerous is because they can sting more than once. Children and pets are especially susceptible to severe reactions from fire ant bites, as they may not be able to remove themselves from the mound they have accidentally disturbed.
Having fire ants on your property is a threat to everyone’s safety, and you should utilize professional assistance to remove them safely.
Is It Possible To Have An Allergic Reaction To Fire Ants?
As with bee stings, fire ant bites can also trigger an allergic reaction in some people. For some people, a response to fire ant bites will be minor, and symptoms will present as itchiness, redness, and swelling. When the swelling increases, the skin can be hot to the touch.
The worst-case scenario is that someone experiences a severe reaction. Signs of a severe allergic reaction to fire ant bites will appear within 30 minutes of being bitten and are life-threatening. If proper medical treatment is not received, anaphylaxis shock may set in, unfortunately killing the person.
Fire Ant Prevention Tips
For the best fire ant treatments in North Texas, call Adam’s Exterminating Company. We have been in the region since 1947, and the skills and knowledge on effectively exterminating pests have been passed down through four generations. Here, our expert technicians have the skills and tools required to safely and effectively eliminate fire ant infestations in their entirety. In addition, they will work with you to implement prevention strategies to ensure these pests do not return. We know how important it is for you and your family to feel safe while in your yard. If fire ants take that away from you, let us help you get it back. Call us today!