OCTOBER 1st, 2020
IMPROVEMENT
OUR INSECT ENEMIES (NAPSA)-Ants in the yard and home are no picnic-especially ones that sting. Of the several species of stinging ants, the red imported fire ant is the most aggressive. Believed to have entered the U.S. in Mobile, Al. around the 1930s in infested soil from South America, the fire ant is not a welcome immigrant. These tiny, reddish-brown insects can inflict painful stings, often occurring simultaneously after several have crawled onto the victim. Fire ant stings can result in severe injury-even death. According to experts at Orkin, Inc., colonies of fire ants continue to spread throughout the country beyond where the U.S. Department of Agriculture originally predicted. These insects pose problems from Florida to southern California and as far north as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Virginia. Adept competitors, fire ants frequently overtake other ant species in an area, and when mating, males can sometimes fly for miles. During warmer months, one infested acre can support as many as 100 fire ant mounds from the same colony. Though typically found outdoors, fire ants do invade buildings under certain conditions. In fact, fire ants are responsible for at least six attacks on nursing home residents over the last decade and the death of an Arizona toddler. Common sites for indoor infestations are wall voids, bath traps and shower stalls. Fire ants have even been found on the floor, in clothing and bed linens. “Fire ants have incredible survival instincts. When disturbed, a colony can relocate in a matter of hours,” said Paul Bello, fire ant expert, entomologist and technical director for Orkin. “Successful, long-term control of fire ants is difficult to achieve and best left to a pest control professional.” Even so, homeowners can take precautions to prevent fire ants from getting a foothold in the yard and home. According to Bello: •Be vigilant-regularly monitor for fire ant activity; •Seal cracks around doors and windows; •Keep gutters and downspouts clean; •Trim shrubs and tree limbs that hang over or touch the home; •Rinse drink cans before placing them in recycling bins; •Store pet food in tightly sealed containers; and •Contact a pest control professional for help in treating infestations. Remember that fire ants can be aggressive. Never disturb a mound and keep children and pets away. For more on fire ants, visit www.orkin.com or call 1-800-800-ORKIN for a free inspection. Fire ants are small but can be deadly. Contact a pest control professional for help in treating infestations.