What Attracts Fire Ants to Your Property?

Fire ants are much more aggressive than other common household ants and will settle in or around a home if there are easily accessible food or water sources. 

Their painful stings and erratic behavior make them one of the most problematic pests in North Carolina. Fire ants are attracted to warm, sunny areas in your garden, the cracks in your driveway, and any food you leave out in your garage. 

If you’ve noticed fire ants around your yard or even inside your home, you’re likely looking for what’s attracting them in the first place—and, more importantly, wondering how to get rid of them quickly.

Where Do Fire Ants Live?

Fire ants prefer warm, sunny areas with loose, dry soil. They build large mounds in open spaces like lawns, patios, sidewalks, and sometimes even inside electrical boxes. 

Unlike many other ant species, fire ants can form mounds inside homes, particularly in areas with accessible soil such as basements, crawl spaces, or under concrete slabs. While fire ants are often confused with red ants, most common household ants, such as carpenter ants and sugar ants, do not create mounds indoors, instead preferring to nest in wood, walls, or near food sources. 

Fire ants’ ability to establish colonies within structures makes them particularly challenging to remove without professional intervention.

What Do Fire Ants Eat?

Fire ants are omnivorous scavengers that consume a wide range of food sources, including:

• Sugary substances like fruit, soda, and syrups.
• Proteins such as meats, pet food, and dead insects.
• Greasy or fatty foods.
• Seeds and plant material.

Beyond food, fire ants also collect building materials for their nests, which can include wood, plant debris, and even electrical wiring. Their attraction to electrical equipment can cause costly damage, as they have been known to infest circuit boxes and interfere with machinery, leading to power failures and equipment malfunctions.

What Do Fire Ants Look Like?

Fire ants are often mistaken for other common ants, but they have distinct characteristics that set them apart:

• Reddish-brown bodies with darker abdomens.
• Size varies from 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.
• Aggressive swarming behavior when disturbed.
• Fire ants create mounds that can grow up to 18 inches high and two feet in diameter.

Hiring A Professional Ant Exterminator

While DIY methods may offer temporary relief, fire ant infestations require professional treatment for complete eradication. Here’s when you should call a pest control expert:

• You notice multiple fire ant mounds in your yard.
• Fire ants have made their way inside your home and have built mounds indoors.
• Family members or pets have been stung.
• You’ve tried store-bought treatments with no success.
• There is evidence of fire ants damaging electrical wiring or infrastructure.

Professional pest control companies use advanced baiting systems, specialized chemicals, and strategic treatment plans to ensure fire ants are eliminated at the source. For the most trusted fire ant control, look no further than Wolfpack Pest Control. With nearly 50 years of experience, our family-founded company has been a trusted choice in the Greater Charlotte, NC area. We specialize in thorough pest elimination and long-term prevention, ensuring your home stays fire ant-free. Contact Wolfpack Pest Control today for a free quote on professional, reliable service you can count on.