When fire ants invade your yard, there’s no time to sit on the sidelines. You have to hit them hard and fast. By the time you see their mounds, they’ve been hard at work for months, mounting a ground assault overtaking your lawn from below. Here’s the secret for how to prevent and kill these pests in your yard.
Identify the Mound
Fire ants build their mounds anywhere. You’ll often find them in open, sunny areas or under buildings or rotting logs and tree stumps. Unlike other ants, you won’t find an opening in the center because they enter and exit through underground tunnels.
These mounds are deceiving because they look like innocent dirt mounds until agitated. Then you can have upwards of 500,000 fire ants on the attack because you disturbed their mound.
How to Prevent Fire Ants
Fire ants are extremely common in the southern regions of the U.S. If you live in the south, preventative measures are a good idea. The “broadcasting method” is an excellent preventative step.
Broadcasting treats the area with fire ant bait a couple of times a year during warm months. This treatment will help keep this pest from finding a home on your lawn. This method is estimated to prevent approximately 80% of infestations.
How to Kill Fire Ants
If you already have an infestation, your burning question is likely, “Help! How do I kill fire ants? When it comes to getting rid of them, timing is key. Applying full-yard and fire ant mound treatments early morning or evening is best. These times are optimal because the ants are searching for food and traveling back to feed the colony’s queen.
Prevent and Kill Fire Ants
The best way to prevent and kill these ants is to understand their patterns. They are most active and closest to the surface during spring and fall when the soil and weather are warm.
Controlling these pests is often a larger task than a home or business owner can successfully tackle. Nichols Reliable Lawn Care & More has the experience and expertise to help you keep your lawn healthy and pest-free. Call us at .479.502.2192.
Thank you.
King regards,
Thompson Dencker