Ants are notoriously known around the world. Their invasions often result in pilfered food, contaminated surfaces, and painful little stings that are obnoxious. With the thousands of species of ants roaming the work, there are some species more commonly found in certain parts, and throughout Texas, fire ants are among the most common of ants homeowners and commercial owners come into contact with. At this time we at A-Tex Pest Management would like to take the opportunity to discuss fire ants and the impact the recent flooding has on them.
Fire Ants Are an Aggressive Ant Species
Fire ants are among the most aggressive ants in the area and will definitely attack when they feel they or their nest is threatened. Being omnivorous, fire ants will eat nearly anything; from animal proteins, dead insects, to fruits and veggies and grains, they will eat it, especially the convenient food left in their path or neglected on floors and countertops.
Fire Ant Colonies
Generally, fire ants will keep to the outdoors unless they are desperate for food or climate changes are significantly altered. Discovering the dirt mounds scattered on the property grounds will assuredly lead to their colony and nesting sites. Fire ants can easily reach members of 250,000 because they are able to thrive and reproduce quickly when they find ideal locations to construct their nests.
Fire Ants Form Floating Rafts in Floods
Being around for billions of years, fire ants have been able to adapt to serious weather conditions and survive natural disasters. With the recent flooding in Houston, first responders are actually dealing with islands of fire ants among the mayhem. Many people have witnessed and even captured photos of fire ants that have formed a protective island floating by in the high waters. As previously mentioned, these colonies can have up to 250,000 workers that will readily defend themselves against intruders repeatedly. Thankfully, these fire ants are too preoccupied with their own survival to attack any victims or first responders. Despite worrying about the debris and alligators, the fire ant islands have the ability to float and take advantage of the new habitat the floods produced. Their ant clusters form in less than two minutes. As the rains submerge the colony, the fire ants will use their jaws and the sticky pads under their legs to join and bond together. As these clusters of thousands of ants, or even millions stay afloat, the ants on the bottom will make their way to the top as the continuous rotation progresses, none of the ants stay submerged long enough to drown. The precious members of the group, the queen and her newest babies, are pushed to the top center for safe keeping. These living rafts can float for days, or longer if needed until dry land or even a tree is reached.
Fire Ant Inspections, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
Just like people and animals looking to survive, fire ants will often grab onto the first thing that looks solid, including people and pets. Their venomous bites can make the catastrophe worse. Contact A-Tex Pest Management for control of fire ants and other pests.