If you’ve ever spent time outdoors in Florida, you’re no stranger to fire ants – and you’re probably just as familiar with their painful, itchy stings on your ankles and feet.

But if you have these pests in your yard or around your home, you’ll want to call Drake Lawn & Pest Control right away to take care of the problem. These pests more than just a nuisance – they can pose a real danger to you and your family.

What makes them so dangerous, and how do you know if they’re attacking your lawn? Learn how to identify these pests and get rid of them for good with help from the experts in ant control in Orlando, FL.

How to Identify Fire Ants

Fire ants are a common pest throughout the entire state of Florida. How can you tell if they’ve invaded your yard?

One of the easiest and safest ways to identify them is to look out for the distinct mounds they build. Unlike a regular ant hill, fire ant mounds have no hole in the center – that’s because the pests enter and exit the mound through underground tunnels. The mounds range in size from a few inches high to more than a foot tall depending on the type of soil used and how long the colony has gone undisturbed. You’re more likely to find them in a flat, sunny area than in a wooded area.

The ants themselves are a reddish-brown color and pack a painful sting. If you’ve been stung by one in your backyard, you’ll know by the sting and the immediate burning and itching sensation, followed by the white blister that develops.

Because they’re active year-round, you’ll want to check your property for mounds regularly and call Drake at the first sight of fire ant activity.

Are Fire Ants Destructive?

Unlike termites, you don’t have to worry about fire ants damaging your property. But just because they aren’t destructive, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t dangerous.

These pests are known to be extremely aggressive. If their mound is disturbed, they won’t hesitate to swarm and sting the source of the disturbance. While those of us who have lived in Orlando for a while know to stay away from these mounds, pets and young children may not understand and end up seriously hurt.

In rare cases, their stings can even cause severe allergic reactions. If you find these pests around your home, don’t take any chances – protect your family’s safety and get rid of these dangerous pests right away by calling Drake Lawn & Pest Control.

Drake Lawn & Pest Control in Orlando, FL

If you have fire ants attacking your home and lawn, don’t wait until your ankles are covered in itchy stings to do something about it. Call the Orlando pest control experts here at Drake Lawn & Pest Control to get rid of ants, termites, roaches, and any other pests in or around your home.

Our trained and certified technicians provide safe and effective pest control services to homes and businesses throughout Orlando and Central Florida. Call us today at 866-498-4576 to take your lawn back from dangerous pests!