How To Get Rid Of Dangerous Fire Ants In Houston, TX
Your feet are important. You use them every day to get around. Even when you are not standing, they are almost always resting on something. Keeping this in mind, have you ever been attacked by fire ants while walking outside barefoot? If so, how long did your feet hurt afterward? It only takes a few dozen stings from these painful pests for simple things like walking to become uncomfortable. Thankfully, you do not have to tolerate these pests around your Houston property. Here are some things you should know, including what methods work best to get and keep fire ants away.
Fire Ants Are Dangerous
Something you probably already know about fire ants is that they are dangerous. What you might not know is why. Something many people are unaware of is that fire ants bite and sting. They are one of the few pests that do this. If a group of fire ants attacks you, you will first feel that burning sharp pain from their stings. This is caused by their venom and is especially harmful to individuals who are allergic to insect venom. To identify your risk of serious injury related to a fire ant attack, consult with your local doctor.
Fire Ants Prefer To Stay Outside
Fire ants are not fond of our homes. They will, if possible, spend the majority of their lives outdoors. Keeping this in mind, these pests will come indoors if their lives depend on it. Two reasons fire ants might break into your home are if the weather outside is treacherous to their health or if sources of food and moisture are becoming scarce.
Fire Ant Mounds Pop Up After Rainfall
Fire ants are mostly found around arid environments and tend to kill the grass around areas they build. That said, you are most likely to find these pests around your yard after recent rainfall. There is a good reason for this. To keep their young from drowning, these pests build upwards, creating mounds above the surface. If a flood occurs, these pests may even build a floating island that drifts on the water until things dry out.
Fire Ants Are Preventable
The most important thing you should know about fire ants is that they are preventable. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can deter these pests from building in your yard and invading your home. Here are some great prevention tips to start with.
After eating outdoors, clean up food and drink messes.
Pick up fruits, berries, and other products that fall into your yard.
Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
Clean your trash cans often.
Use a caulking gun to seal gaps, holes, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
Repair damage to window/door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
Keep unscreened windows and doors closed when they aren’t in use.
Regularly clean your home and address food messes and drink spills as they occur.
Why You Might Call A Professional About Your Fire Ant Problems
Sometimes fire ants invade yards despite the best efforts of homeowners. If these pests are crawling around inside your grass causing trouble, do not hesitate to involve the experts at Modern Pest Control. Our team offers ant control services to identify these pests, eliminate nests, and set up a lasting barrier to keep fire ants and other area pests out of your home.
Give us a call today if you need a fast answer to your Houston home’s pest problems. We will send a technician your way ASAP.