How Dangerous Are Fire Ants In Greensboro, NC?

When you start to see ant mounds in your Greensboro yard, it can cause you to have concern, especially if you see red ants crawling around on those mounds. Fire ants have earned a reputation for being dangerous. But how dangerous are they? And how concerned should you be if you see fire ants in your Greensboro yard? Here's what you should know.

The Bottom Line First

Let's shoot straight to the point. It is estimated that five percent of fire ant bites are fatal. This might seem alarmingly high but you have to consider that there are a lot of fire ants, and they are aggressive ants that bite people all the time. The vast majority of bites will only result in small, itchy, red welts that have a pustule at the center. If you live in Greensboro, you've probably had one of these irritating bite wounds—or several of them. Fire ant bites are common. But it is important to understand that there is a risk when fire ants bite you, and it is heartbreaking when something that seems harmless turns deadly.

Why Do People Die From Fire Ant Bites?

We don't want you to be fearful of fire ants. There is only a small percentage of the population that is at risk. But it is important that you recognize what puts them at risk. Fatalities from insect bites are most often the result of anaphylaxis. This is an allergic reaction that can be caused by many things, including eating peanuts or shellfish. Here are some of the many symptoms of anaphylaxis:

• Itchy mouth
• Swelling of the lips, eyes, or other parts of the body
• Tight and itchy throat
• Dizziness
• Skin irritation
• Hives
• Rash
• Pale blue skin
• Difficulty breathing
• Cramps
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Shock
• Poor circulation and low pulse

If you, or someone you love, experiences any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

The Real Danger Fire Ants Present

Since fire ant bites are so common, and most bites are just irritating, it is easy to forget that bites can become life threatening to some. It is also easy to forget that they can be more of a threat to some than others. A baby in a car carrier is a good example. If you're a parent, you've probably had your baby in a car carrier and placed that carrier on the ground at some point. If you leave your baby on the ground in a car carrier and he or she starts to cry, check on them. A baby can't communicate that fire ants are biting. This can be a serious threat to your baby, especially if your baby is prone to cry a lot.

Are You Allergic To Fire Ants?

It is also important to keep in mind that insect sting allergies can develop later in life. You could have been stung by fire ants as a kid and not realize that those ants are a threat to you now that you're an adult. There are many factors that can contribute to an increase in sensitivity to insect venom. It is important to monitor these factors to protect yourself and the ones you love.  

Fire Ant Problems

When fire ants create mounds in your yard, you may be tempted to go after the ants with extreme measures. We recommend that you don't. The measures some have taken are far more dangerous than these ants. They're also ineffective. The mound that you see on the ground is not where the ants are living. They can be as far as ten feet below the surface. They also have surface tunnels that can spread out quite a distance. When you fail to kill all the ants (which is highly likely) the colony can redistribute and colonize in several other locations in your yard. It is best to have a licensed pest management professional address fire ant infestations in your yard. A professional will use industry-leading products and methods developed by experts to locate and eliminate the fire ant colonies that have established themselves in your yard.

Do you live in Greensboro?

When you see mounds in your yard and red ants with black abdomens crawling around on them, reach out to Go-Forth Home Services for ant colony remediation. At Go-Forth Home Services, our team is highly-trained and experienced in ant identification and control. The products we use are slow-acting and are able to get to the heart of fire ant colonies and eliminate them before they split and redistribute to other locations in your yard. 

Contact us today and tell us about your pest control problem. We're here to guide you in selecting the right services to effectively address your issues.