Fire ants thrive in our Florida weather, often taking over our property to seek food, water, and shelter! Once these pests invade your yard in numbers, it can be difficult to get rid of them; however with a few proactive steps, you can protect your property and family from their painful stings and potential damage. Let’s review our fire ant prevention tips!
Understanding Fire Ants
First, it’s important to understand fire ants and their characteristics to properly prevent them. Fire ants have small, reddish-brown bodies. They will often build large mounds in open areas like lawns, gardens, and pastures to allow their colony to grow rapidly. Additionally, they are known to damage electrical equipment, including air conditioning units, and their mounds can harm lawns and landscaping. If stung by these pests, it can often cause intense pain, itching, and even severe allergic reactions to some individuals.
Fire Ant Prevention Tips
An effective method of fire ant prevention is placing some easy, preventative measures throughout your property to deter them away in the first place. Check out our recommended DIY fire ant prevention tips:
- Remove piles of leaves, wood, and other debris where fire ants may nest.
- Keep your lawn well-maintained and mowed to reduce hiding spots.
- Inspect and seal cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation, windows, and doors to prevent ants from entering.
- Repair and seal cracks in driveways, sidewalks, and patios.
- Avoid standing water by repairing irrigation systems or hoses to keep large numbers of fire ants away.
- If you spot a mound, it’s best to get treatment right away.
If you’ve seen a fire ant mound in your yard or would like to start preventing them before they invade, call a pest control company near you. These experts will provide you with a free thorough inspection, fire ant control plan, and recommendations on how you can prevent them in the future.
