It's fire ant season in Alabama. What to do to prevent them invading your home.
As the warmth of spring creeps in, so too does the relentless return of the pesky ant, with the fire ant leading the charge, bringing chaos and an unwelcome sting to every corner they invade.
Alabama has two species of fire ants, the black and red imported ants.
The black imported fire ant can be found in the northwestern part of the state, while the red imported fire ant resides in the south and east-central part of Alabama.
What we know about the fire ant species
The stinging fire ants were initially introduced to the United States from South America via the port of Mobile.
In 1953, the Department of Agriculture carried out its first official survey, revealing that the ants had already spread across 10 states.
Fire ants are notorious for their large mounds and painful stings.
These mounds can grow as tall as 18 inches or more, with tunnels that extend as deep as 20 feet underground, branching out like the roots of a tree. Their mounds have been known to cause damage to land, mowing equipment and electrical equipment.
Fire ant stings are painful and can cause itchy bumps that may linger for up to a week. In some cases, individuals with allergies to fire ants have experienced anaphylactic shock after being stung.
These ants begin swarming in the spring and continue through late fall after it rains or if their nest is threatened.
Control and prevention of the fire ant
Although ants are a common nuisance, there are effective ways to keep them under control, with the primary goal being to eliminate the queen.
One of the most efficient methods is using bait that attracts ants to carry insecticide back to the colony. This allows the ants to share the bait with the queen and the rest of the colony, gradually wiping them out.
Another preventive measure is drenching the mound with insecticide, ensuring a more thorough elimination. You can either use a treatment that covers the entire lawn or one specifically designed for direct application to the mound.
One popular method people swear by is pouring boiling water onto the mound. However, many insect experts advise against this, as it only kills the ants it directly contacts. Since mounds can extend deep underground, boiling water won't reach far enough to eliminate all the ants within.
Eliminating food sources in the home is the key to home invasion prevention. Seal off entryways that would allow them to access your home and your food sources.
Clean up spills and crumbs immediately, both inside and outside the home. Remove all forms of standing water, as fire ants are attracted to moisture.
Maintaining a clean yard allows fire ants to not find shelter in tall grass areas or debris that is lying around.
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.