Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
In west Tennessee, we are no strangers to fire ants. The painful and destructive bite of these tiny insects with their small, red-segmented bodies can be just as dangerous and painful as bee and wasp stings. Their bite is painful, and they will attack in aggressive swarms over the slightest provocation. You’ve seen fire ants though, so why be worried? AAA Termite and Pest Control wants to show you that fire ants are not a traditional ant and why they can pose a serious threat to you and your home.
Why are fire ants such a concern?
In the 1930’s in Alabama, fire ants were discovered after having spread from South America. In the 89 years since their discovery, fire ants have made their permanent and destructive presence aware in 15 states, including Tennessee. These aggressive arthropods live in colonies that can form in yards, gardens or anywhere near homes and buildings. The nests can look like small mounds of crumbled earth that can be anywhere from 3-18 inches in height. Depending on the age of the colony, the fire ants can have up to 250,000 worker ants in a single mound of dirt. Between their massive swarming numbers and aggressive and invasive nature, this makes for a dangerous combination.
This small red ant delivers its venomous bite through its jaws while stinging repeatedly with the stinger on its rear segment. Fire ants are especially dangerous to children, pets, and any person who has insect allergies. Every fire ant can deliver a barrage of stings and bites. If you or anyone you love has been attacked, they need to be monitored very closely for signs of a serious reaction. Signs of danger include if you see swelling in the face, tongue, cheeks, or throat, labored breathing, chest pain, hives, nausea, dizziness, and excessive sweating. These are all indications that the bitten person or animal is going into anaphylactic shock—a life-threatening condition when not treated immediately. AAA Termite and Pest Control wants to prevent you from suffering from a fire ant attack.
Prevention is your best defense
Never try to treat a fire ant infestation on your own. The Memphis pest control professionals at AAA Termite and Pest Control will have to determine the potential size and age of the fire ant colony to figure out the proper solution. We have the training and experience to stop an infestation that is close to a building from also infesting your home or business.
The best ways to prevent a fire ant invasion are as follows:
- First, call your Memphis pest control professional when you see the first signs of fire ants.
- Seal doors and window frames properly.
- Eliminate standing water near a structure, and make sure trash is adequately sealed.
- When doing yard work, avoid wearing sweet perfumes or clothing that is floral-printed or black.
- Keep all food covered until eaten or disposed of in the trash.
Treating for fire ants in Memphis
Don’t wait to call until your fire ant problem has come into your home. Don’t let your family or animals live in danger. If you see any signs of a fire ant infestation, call the professionals at AAA Termite and Pest Control. If you live in the areas of Cordova or Memphis, TN, contact AAA Termite and Pest Control today at (901) 737-7378 to get a handle on this or any of your other pest problems.