Some say the worst time of the year in Tampa is the summers. Summer brings intense humidity, many rain showers, high temperatures, and an occasional hurricane. While this might bring some hot and uncomfortable days for residents, the fire ant is quite comfy. Rain and flooding may cause the fire ant some inconvenience, but these crafty insects have a survival instinct that allows them to relocate their colony on flotation devices to new locations. With this incredible will to survive, fire ants can be a pest that affects anyone in the Tampa area.
What Everyone Ought To Know About Fire Ants
Fire ants are an invasive species that has a dark reddish-brown color, antennae, six legs, and an oval segmented body. They grow to about a quarter-inch long. Despite being a common pest in Tampa the fire ant is not native to the states, having been imported from South American during the 1930s. Since that time, fire ants have spread throughout the southern states.
The imported fire ant is now a common species in Florida. Fire ants have a well-deserved reputation for an aggressive bully. They are responsible for disrupting and displacing many native ant species and eliminating food used by wildlife that eats insects. Fire ants can also cause medical problems by stinging humans, wildlife, and livestock.
Dangers Posed By Fire Ants In Tampa
Fire Ants are not an insect you want to ignore. They can cause some serious issues to your health, home, and yard. It is said that fire ants bite, but they actually sting people. Stinging generally occurs when their nests are disturbed. A person can receive multiple stings that are very painful and will often result in a raised welt that can become a white pustule. People who have allergies may even experience severe allergic reactions to stings.
Fire ants create colonies in mounds (some more than 18” tall) of dirt in sunny, open areas. Some of these can reach heights of 18". When conditions on properties cause the fire ant to disperse (such as plowing fields, pesticides being used, or flooding), fire ants are able to relocate and recolonize easily. This makes them next to impossible to get rid of.
How To Prevent Fire Ants On Your Tampa Property
Fire ants typically live outdoors and nest near structural foundations or landscaping. When conditions outside do not provide the food and moisture they require, they will move indoors. Property owners can take preventative measures to stop fire ants in their tracks.
Some preventative measures to take around your property are as follows:
- Clear landscape debris away from your property to eliminate possible nesting areas.
- Seal any entryways into buildings with silicone caulking.
- Seal cracks in and around outlets, sinks, toilets, baseboards, cupboards, and pipes.
- Install weather stripping around doors and windows.
Some preventative measures to take inside your property include:
- Clean up food debris and spills (especially sweets) quickly.
- Completely clean greasy food prep areas.
- Store food in air-tight containers (glass containers should have rubber seals).
- Keep your sinks drained and clear of food debris.
- Seal garbage in plastic bags and place it in outside garbage cans.
- Always rinse recycled items before putting them in bins.
The Safe And Effective Way To Deal With Fire Ants
Interfering with fire ants can cause them to sting and leave you with some pretty painful welts. A property owner’s best recourse for eliminating fire ants is to call the pest professionals at Bold Servicing. Our main goal at Bold Servicing is to protect both your property and your loved ones from these crafty pests.