Fire Ant Control in Athens, GA
Fire Ant Management in All of Georgia and Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina
Fire ants earned their name thanks to their reddish-brown color as well as their venomous sting that causes a burning sensation. These ants are notorious for their aggressive behavior, especially when their colonies are disturbed. A single fire ant colony can house hundreds of thousands of workers, all prepared to fiercely defend their homes against intruders. Provoked fire ants have been known to swarm and collectively and repeatedly sting a perceived threat, be it human or animal.
If you find a fire ant mound on your property, do not disturb it. Keep all children and pets a safe distance away from the mound. Then, turn to American Pest Control for efficient residential fire ant control in Athens, GA. We are prepared to set up comprehensive a fire ant removal and control program to properly treat the existing fire ant mounds and prevent future mounds from forming. Our trained and certified technicians utilize fire ant baiting technology to ensure the complete removal of fire ant colonies near your home. When you choose our team, you can expect honesty, integrity, and a commitment to exceptional customer service.
If you think you may be dealing with fire ants, do not wait to call in the professionals! Request a free inspection and estimate today by calling (706) 702-4532 or contacting us online.
How We Remove Fire Ants
American Pest Control's fire ant treatment services are completed on a quarterly basis. Every three months we use a baiting technique that effectively removes these harmful pests from homes and yards. Remember: Do not disturb a fire ant mound if one is found on your property! Although fire ants are a common pest problem in Northeast Georgia, with a proper treatment service performed by our trained technicians, they can be effectively and easily removed.
Our fire ant removal procedure generally involves the following steps:
- One of our technicians will distribute fire ant bait throughout the affected areas
- Fire ants will forage for food in the area, taking the bait back to the colony
- The product is then used as a food source for the ants, resulting in colony elimination
Signs Your Residential Property May Have a Fire Ant Problem
Detecting a fire ant colony early can spare you a lot of pain and property damage. Early identification and intervention are key to controlling an infestation, which is why it is important to be familiar with the signs of their presence.
Reach out to our technicians for residential fire ant control in Athens, GA, if you spot any of the following red flags:
- Mounds in open areas. Fire ants prefer to build their colonies in open, sunlit areas like lawns. These mounds generally appear as large, irregularly shaped piles of loose soil. They may vary in size, but most are about a foot in diameter and approximately 1.5 feet high. Unlike the anthills of other species, fire ant mounds do not have a central exit hole at the top. Instead, the ants enter and leave the mound through underground tunnels that extend outward from the mound. After rainfall, these mounds tend to be rebuilt quickly and are often taller and more visible, which makes them easier to identify.
- Aggressive ant behavior. Fire ants are notoriously aggressive when disturbed. If you see ants swarming out rapidly and aggressively from a disturbed mound, they might be fire ants.
- Grass damage. Fire ants can cause significant damage to your lawn, leading to bald spots and dead grass around their mound.
- Damage to electrical equipment. Fire ants are attracted to electrical currents and can chew through insulation, causing shorts in wiring and damage to equipment. Signs of electrical problems could indicate their presence.
- Shifted or cracked concrete. Fire ants can also build their mounds near concrete structures like foundations or slabs. Over time, these mounds can cause the concrete to shift or crack, leading to structural damage.
- Winged ants. If you see ants with wings around your property, you may be dealing with a mature fire ant colony. These winged ants are the reproductive members of the colony, and while they are frequently most active in late spring and early summer, you may spot them at any point during the year.
- Recurring ant bites. Fire ants are known for their painful sting. If you or your pets are experiencing repeated ant bites, particularly around legs and feet, it might be a sign of fire ant presence somewhere on your property.
Why You Should Never Ignore a Possible Fire Ant Infestation
Ignoring a possible fire ant infestation is a dangerous gamble that can have severe consequences. First and foremost, their venomous sting is not only extremely painful but can also trigger allergic reactions in some people. This reaction can be life-threatening, especially if the individual is stung multiple times. Moreover, these aggressive ants do not sting once. Instead, they latch onto the skin with their mandibles and deliver multiple stings in a circular pattern, exacerbating the discomfort and potential harm.
Fire ants also pose a significant risk to your pets. Dogs and cats are more likely to disturb a fire ant mound and become a target for their aggressive attacks. A pet that unwittingly messes with a fire ant mound may be stung numerous times, and these stings can lead to painful, itchy welts. Even worse, pets may ingest fire ants while grooming or out of curiosity, which can lead to internal injuries and infections. Pets with a high number of stings or an allergic reaction need immediate veterinary care.
In addition to posing health risks, fire ants can cause extensive property damage. They have a penchant for electrical equipment and wiring. By chewing through the insulation, fire ants can cause electrical shorts, leading to equipment failure and increasing the risk of fire incidents. The economic cost of repairing or replacing such equipment can be quite significant, making these ants a costly pest to ignore.
Furthermore, fire ants are known to build extensive networks of underground tunnels, which can destabilize the soil structure. Over time, this can lead to substantial structural damage to buildings and other structures, including foundations, slabs, and pavements. A mature fire ant colony can extend several feet deep and occupy a large area, causing the ground to sink or crack under pressure.
Finally, fire ants can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden. Their mound-building activities can create unsightly bald spots and destroy beautiful landscapes.
For all these reasons, you should always take immediate action at the first signs of a fire ant infestation. When you trust American Pest Control with residential fire ant control in Athens, GA, you can count on quality service at reasonable rates.
We offer emergency, same-day service, so if you have a serious fire ant problem, do not wait to call (706) 702-4532 or contact us online!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I find a fire ant mound on my property?
If you find a fire ant mound on your property, it's important to avoid disturbing it. Fire ants are aggressive and will swarm and sting if they feel threatened. The best course of action is to contact a professional pest control company like American Pest Control. They have the experience and expertise to safely and effectively eliminate the fire ant colony.
How quickly will fire ant treatment work?
American Pest Control's fire ant bait starts working within hours of application. However, it can take several weeks to completely eliminate the entire colony. The time frame depends on the size of the colony and how quickly the worker ants find and take the bait back to the queen.
Do fire ants carry diseases?
Fire ants can carry bacteria on their bodies, which can cause irritation and infection if they bite you. However, they are not known to transmit any major diseases.
Hear From Our Happy Customers
At American Pest Control, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our customers have to say about working with us.
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They consistently deliver quality care with professionalism.
"We have used American Pest Control for both our yearly termite inspection and our quarterly pest control since 2008."- Sherry S. -
We highly recommend American Pest Control!
"They come on schedule and completed the service efficiently and professionally."- Edward S. -
Very impressed with American!
"I compared to 2 other companies and their customer service, pricing and tech were the best!"- Leigh T.
Why Our Customers Love Working with Us
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Efficient Pest Management
When pests get into your home or business, you want a quick solution. Our efficient pest control takes care of the problem.
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Excellent Customer ServiceWe care about our customers and are committed to delivering the services you need to provide you with peace of mind.
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Certified And Trained TechniciansOur technicians go through rigorous training and must pass state-required testing in order to be certified with us.
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Honesty, Integrity, Family, Community, Quality ServiceOur third-generation pest control experts put our experience toward your family's safe, comfortable environment.