After a bit of a break from when I started this blog, it's time to move on and get posting in here. The first post Fire Ants, set the scene and introduced the blog and what it was going to be all about.
Now I think I'd better start talking about fire ants, so I decided to start with the tell tale signs that you have the nasty little critters invading your garden or yard, or even your home. And that's the fire ants nests.
What do they look like?
That's the first question I often get asked about fire ants nests. Well, they normally take on a low mound shape that tends to rise up out of your lawn, or on waste ground or pretty much anywhere they decide is a good place to set up home.
One of the distinguishing features of fire ants nests over normal ants nests is that there is no obvious entry or exit hole. You certainly wont see it on the top of the mound. Fire ants usually place their exit holes near to the ground and if they can conceal them by putting them under some low growing foliage or anything else that will disguise it, they will.
Sometimes you'll get a fire ants nest built near to the house or shed or garage and they'll put the exit hole on the side where the wall of the building is. Some fire ants nests have even been known to have been built right up against a wall and part of the mound is on the other side of the wall - that is inside the house under the floorboards. When that happens, you stand a good chance of having them in the house, which is really not nice!
The will also build their nests underneath things like upturned wheelbarrows, under piles of bricks or woodpiles, or anything that gives the mound protection from the elements as well as keeping it hidden from prying eyes!
If you discover a fire ants nest in your garden or near to your house, its best to get the pest control experts in to deal with them if you don't feel brave enough to tackle them yourslef.
Remember, don't go poking sticks into fire ants nests as they are incredibly aggressive and fast - you can find yourself covered in the nasty stinging insects within seconds of attacking their nest, so be very careful.
Fire Ants
