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What To Do About Fire Ants In Greenville

Fire ants are a very common ant in Greenville, South Carolina. It is reddish brown in color and is approximately a quarter inch in length. These pest ants are sometimes referred to as “red ants” because of their reddish appearance. Fire ants have bodies that consist of three sections: the head, thorax, and abdomen. They have a pair of antennae and three pairs of legs. They’re an active species of ant, attacking and stinging any animal that intrudes on their nests repeatedly.

Ant infestations are easily identified by the appearance of the mounds they make, left unattended these dirt mounds can grow to be quite large. These mounds are typically found in and around swamps, rotting logs and trees, but they have also been known to build colonies in or under buildings as well. The larger colonies can grow to as many as 250,000 workers.

The Life of a Fire Ant

Fire ants tend to feed on plants and seeds, but they have also been known to attack and kill small animals. They are an aggressive species of ant and have forced other species away from their habitats. Fire ants bite to hold their prey in place and then sting from the abdomen. The sting results in the injection of a toxic venom. In humans, the sting is painful and similar to what it feels like to get burned by fire, but unless you are allergic, fire ant stings are not lethal.

Fire Ants Sting People

Fire ants sting and are quite painful. A small percentage of people are allergic to fire ant stings and similar to a bee sting, could cause a serious or even lethal reaction to those who are allergic. If you experience shortness of breath, sweating, or thickening of the tongue after a fire ant sting, seek medical attention, as you are probably experiencing an allergic reaction. Otherwise, treat fire ant stings the way you would any other bee or insect sting using over-the-counter products and keep the area clean to prevent an infection.

Fire Ant Control Programs

If you are dealing with large infestations of fire ants and want to get rid of them, our tri-annual fire ant control service will come to your property three times each year to treat and prevent fire ants from taking up residence and building colonies. If you’d like advanced protection from fire ants and all of the pests that bother Greenville residents, including mosquitoesfleasbox elder bugsticksstink bugs, and kudzu bugs, check out our outdoor living program that will keep your yard free from pests. Give us a call today to learn more about our fire ant and outdoor pest control programs for Greenville and the surrounding areas.

 
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