How to Get Rid of Fire Ants

Fire ants can be harmful pests in your home and garden if you do not deal with them. Since most insecticides have toxic chemicals, you will want to avoid using them, especially if you have pets or children. If you are wondering how to get rid of red ants, below are non-toxic ways you can get rid of these annoying pests.

How Did I Get Fire Ants?

Fire ants are more likely to find their way into your home if it is not kept clean. To them, an unclean house means plenty of food for the taking. However, you may keep your home clean and still find yourself inundated with these pests.

There are certain foods that fire ants prefer to eat. These foods are usually high in fat content, which is critical to know if they have infested your home. Fire ants also enjoy eating other insects, plant nectar, fruit, and seeds.

Fire ants will come into your house if they are looking for water. They may also be trying to get away from adverse weather conditions. You may also be getting ants from an adjacent building. If there is a dirtier place that connects to your home, they may merely be spilling over into your residence.

How Serious Are Fire Ant Problems?

If they bite you, fire ants can cause painful bites and stings. The subsequent wound can become infected if left untreated. If you have thousands of ants descending upon your home, the potential for getting bitten by them increases significantly. If you have children or pets, the problem because even more severe.

What Can I Do About Fire Ants?

Before calling an exterminator, you can take matters into your own hands and use a natural fire ant killer. There are several non-toxic insecticides and repellents you can use to get rid of fire ants.

When you apply fire ant deterrents and killers to problem areas, you should stop seeing them coming into your home. You will only need to call an exterminator if you are still having problems with fire ants after trying to get rid of them yourself.

What Are the Signs of a Fire Ant Infestation?

The tell-tale signs of a fire ant infestation include the following:

• Several ants are walking in a line within your home.
• There are clusters of ants near the walls and corners of your home.
• There are dead ants in water containers, such as pet water bowls.

Fire Ant Prevention and Control Tips

If you want to know how to get rid of fire ants and how to kill fire ants in the house, you should apply a few prevention and control tips. To get rid of fire ants in the house, sprinkle some cayenne pepper in the areas you have seen them. This is a highly unpleasant powder for them, as is any powder.

An effective way to get rid of fire ants is to mix equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar. Place the solution into a spray bottle and spray the problem areas. Diatomaceous earth will kill ants if they come into contact with it. This is a fine, yet abrasive, powder which dehydrates fire ants and kills them.

Wrapping Up

Fire ants are an aggressive pest that you can get rid of by using a few non-toxic methods. Now you know how to get rid of fire ants in the house. If you tried all of the methods described earlier and still are having persistent fire ants invading your home, it is time for an exterminator. Once you hire a pest control professional, they will get rid of your fire any problem once and for all.