Raspberry Ants and Fire Ants

Ants Everywhere!

            We talk about ants to our technicians all the time.  Big, small, fire, carpenter, pharroh, sugar and all of the other types of ants we have to deal with here in the Houston area.  Recently, we have seen two specific types of ants in the news.  Fire Ants (Nothing new there, we have had fire ants for years) and “Hairy Ants” also known as (Raspberry ants or Carribean Crazy ants).  Let’s begin with Fire ants.

            I mean really, is the emergence of fire ant mounds in the yards really 6 oclock news material?   Well, Channel 2 here in Houston thinks so.

Click here to see the video

I guess I had better explain.  The fire ants have not started hyper breeding because we suddenly had a good soaking rain.  They were always there living just below the surface of the soil.  If you think about it that is the best place for them to be.  They are protected and can strike unsuspecting homeowners or yard dwellers at a seconds notice.  However, once the rain comes, their little homes get flooded and they have no choice but to go VERTICAL!  That’s right MOUNDS!

Be careful of that one

Ants in the mail?  Not in it, but close!

            So what do you do when you see that mound?  Go to Home Depot and get some Fire ant killer?  Call Modern Pest Control?  Well, you can do either of those things.  However if you decide to go the Do-It-Yourself route here is some friendly advice.  First, follow the directions on the container that you buy.  Remember if it says 2 tablespoons per mound, that is how much you need.  Not two pounds!  Also, DO NOT DISTURB THE MOUND!  All this will do is cause an alarm throughout the colony, cause them to move the queen and result in less than ideal results!

            Remember, I did mention a second type of ant.  Raspberry ants.  These ants have been spreading throughout the Houston area since around 2002.  They have very large colonies and can completely infest a house with relative ease.  Now, you will recall I said with regard to fire ants that if you wanted to try Do-It-Yourself products go ahead and give it a try. 

Well let me save you some time.  If you want to go the Do-it-Yourself route with Raspberry ants, you are crazy.  There are very few products that actually work for these things and even with those you have to know what you are doing.

Here are a few pictures and videos that can better explain these ants.

Raspberry Ants in the grass

There is also much to be said about these ants doing damage to electrical circuity.  This picture shows us what happens.  They can get between the contacts of switches, relays and other components and short them out.  Imagine these getting into the pool pump motor, or even worse, the air conditioner!

In an effort to keep this short (I do hope you read all the way to the end of the post) These Raspberry ants do not really bite but they can cause you a world of hurt if they get in.  Remember, when dealign with them, bypass Ace Hardware and give us a call at Modern Pest Control.  Getmypests.com. 

Oh and by the way, we are running a contest on our facebook page, click the link below, and like our page.  We will be drawing a name from our likes file on Halloween.  That person will win a New Ipod.  See out facebook page for details.

 Facebook.com/ModernPest

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to pass this one on to your friends!