Fire Ants

HOW TO IDENTIFY FIRE ANTS

This insect is native to Brazil and presents a serious pest problem from the southern United States to Virginia. This ant gets its name from its ability to inflict painful bites and stings. Fire Ants vary in size from 1/16 to1/4 inches long. They have a reddish-brown head and thorax with a black abdomen. The pedicel or "waist" of the imported fire ant consists of 2 segments. Their preferred nesting sites are areas where soil has been excavated. Mounds are built of soil and are seldom larger than 18 inches in diameter. When a mound is disturbed, the ants emerge aggressively to bite and sting the intruder. A white pustule usually appears the next day at the site of the sting. The sting that they inflict can be of serious concern since about 2% of the population of the US is at risk of anaphylactic shock. This species is steadily moving northward.

It is very important to know which species you have since their habits and food preferences vary greatly.

Ants are now among the most important pests both residentially and commercially.

This is due to their mere presence as an overwhelming nuisance pest.

THE BIOLOGY OF FIRE ANTS

The Fire Ant is a SEVERE pest in the southern United States. The Red Imported Fire Ant colony can have a single queen or multiple queens. The single queen colony can have typically 80,000 members.

Over time colonies can become super colonies that have multiple queens and numbers up to 300,000 individuals. So far, multiple queen colonies have not been found in North Carolina.

The rounded mounds that they build have several tunnels under them extending out to several feet of the apparent mound. Single queen colonies are territorial and reproduce by swarming. Multiple queen colonies are not territorial and can swarm or bud to reproduce.

Fire Ants The lifespan of the imported fire ant depends on its size. Minor workers may live 30 to 60 days; major workers 90 to 180 days; queens may live 2 to six years. The complete life cycle from egg to adult takes between 22 and 38 days.

FIRE ANT FEEDING PREFERENCES

The diet of foraging workers consists of dead animals, including insects, earthworms, and vertebrates. Workers also collect honeydew and will forage for sweets, proteins and fats in the home.

WHERE DO CUSTOMERS SEE FIRE ANTS?

They are usually first seen in the yard as ground infesting ants. Victims wander on to the nest and may not even know what they are standing on until they feel the multiple stings of many agitated members. These ants are often introduced to new locations through landscape activities where plants may have been obtained from areas already infested with fire ants.

They arrive in the root balls of plants, shrubs and trees. They also can move from your neighbor's yards as the colony grows. While foraging for food, they can enter homes through cracks and crevices in the outside foundation wall.

Typically HVAC units give easy access and in the winter are warm and inviting. They also like electrical switches and have been know to short out electrical equipment. We have even seen them sandwiched between the insulation and floor systems in crawlspaces.

Ways to reduce the conditions that attract the Red Imported Fire Ant:

Rid the property of fire ant mounds
Seal gaps around doors and windows
Repair foundation cracks
Seal around HVAC systems
Seek professional assistance and a pest prevention plan

Economy Exterminators Pest Prevention Plus program uses the 4 step approach to solve your Fire Ant pest problem:

Our 1st step is the inspection of the property by a Customer Service Specialist. It is very important to know the species involved and the severity of the pest problem. This is especially true with this pest since this pest has adapted to our urban environment so well. There are many areas that our inspectors know to look and identify as areas that need to be treated to give the best results.
The 2nd step would be the initial treatment by a Customer Service Specialist of all areas that the inspection revealed as critical areas. Economy Exterminators uses the newest and most effective materials to solve this pest problem quickly for you. Usual critical areas would be the kitchen, storage areas, crawlspaces, drains and garages. On the outside, special attention will be applied to all the windows, doors, eaves and the foundations. Special time and effort will be necessary in locating ant trails and nests.
The 3^rd step is a 37 point inspection of your property to identify areas on your property that give easy access of the Odorous ants to your property - by either direct access (cracks in the foundation) or by eliminating harborages - (mulch and leaves) or food sources that would be attractive to this type of ant.
The 4^th step would be an ongoing maintenance program for the next generation. New infestations will be moving on your property from the adjoining property. Our exclusive Pest Prevention Plus program is designed to prevent the next generation.

Choose Economy Exterminators for your comprehensive, professional and proven effective pest management program, Pest Prevention Plus.

Take the first step today and Schedule a Free Pest Inspection.


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They have a reddish-brown head and thorax with a black abdomen. The pedicel or "waist" of the imported fire ant consists of 2 segments. Their preferred nesting sites are areas where soil has been excavated. Mounds are built of soil and are seldom larger than 18 inches in diameter. When a mound is disturbed, the ants emerge aggressively to bite and sting the intruder. A white pustule usually appears the next day at the site of the sting. The sting that they inflict can be of serious concern since about 2% of the population of the US is at risk of anaphylactic shock. This species is steadily moving northward. It is very important to know which species you have since their habits and food preferences vary greatly. Ants are now among the most important pests both residentially and commercially. This is due to their mere presence as an overwhelming nuisance pest. THE BIOLOGY OF FIRE ANTS The Fire Ant is a SEVERE pest in the southern United States. The Red Imported Fire Ant colony can have a single queen or multiple queens. The single queen colony can have typically 80,000 members. Over time colonies can become super colonies that have multiple queens and numbers up to 300,000 individuals. So far, multiple queen colonies have not been found in North Carolina. The rounded mounds that they build have several tunnels under them extending out to several feet of the apparent mound. Single queen colonies are territorial and reproduce by swarming. Multiple queen colonies are not territorial and can swarm or bud to reproduce. The lifespan of the imported fire ant depends on its size. Minor workers may live 30 to 60 days; major workers 90 to 180 days; queens may live 2 to six years. The complete life cycle from egg to adult takes between 22 and 38 days. FIRE ANT FEEDING PREFERENCES The diet of foraging workers consists of dead animals, including insects, earthworms, and vertebrates. Workers also collect honeydew and will forage for sweets, proteins and fats in the home. WHERE DO CUSTOMERS SEE FIRE ANTS? They are usually first seen in the yard as ground infesting ants. Victims wander on to the nest and may not even know what they are standing on until they feel the multiple stings of many agitated members. These ants are often introduced to new locations through landscape activities where plants may have been obtained from areas already infested with fire ants. They arrive in the root balls of plants, shrubs and trees. They also can move from your neighbor's yards as the colony grows. While foraging for food, they can enter homes through cracks and crevices in the outside foundation wall. Typically HVAC units give easy access and in the winter are warm and inviting. They also like electrical switches and have been know to short out electrical equipment. We have even seen them sandwiched between the insulation and floor systems in crawlspaces. Ways to reduce the conditions that attract the Red Imported Fire Ant: Rid the property of fire ant mounds Seal gaps around doors and windows Repair foundation cracks Seal around HVAC systems Seek professional assistance and a pest prevention plan Economy Exterminators Pest Prevention Plus program uses the 4 step approach to solve your Fire Ant pest problem: Our 1st step is the inspection of the property by a Customer Service Specialist. It is very important to know the species involved and the severity of the pest problem. This is especially true with this pest since this pest has adapted to our urban environment so well. There are many areas that our inspectors know to look and identify as areas that need to be treated to give the best results. The 2nd step would be the initial treatment by a Customer Service Specialist of all areas that the inspection revealed as critical areas. Economy Exterminators uses the newest and most effective materials to solve this pest problem quickly for you. Usual critical areas would be the kitchen, storage areas, crawlspaces, drains and garages. On the outside, special attention will be applied to all the windows, doors, eaves and the foundations. Special time and effort will be necessary in locating ant trails and nests. The 3^rd step is a 37 point inspection of your property to identify areas on your property that give easy access of the Odorous ants to your property - by either direct access (cracks in the foundation) or by eliminating harborages - (mulch and leaves) or food sources that would be attractive to this type of ant. The 4^th step would be an ongoing maintenance program for the next generation. New infestations will be moving on your property from the adjoining property. Our exclusive Pest Prevention Plus program is designed to prevent the next generation. Choose Economy Exterminators for your comprehensive, professional and proven effective pest management program, Pest Prevention Plus. Take the first step today and Schedule a Free Pest Inspection.