If you don't have an inherent fear of stepping on a fire ant hill and being attacked, we are not the same. But for those in Augusta, Georgia, it is a real possibility. If you don't want to know what it feels like to battle an insect that has the bite of a thousand suns, know how to stand your ground against these fiery insects and other common bugs in the area.
Fire Ants
You could call fire ants a tiny dragon because their bite feels just like their name suggests-that where they bite you feels like it is on fire. Their hill is an obnoxious eyesore, but that makes them easy to spot and steer clear of. You don't want to kick one or mess with it if you aren't prepared to go against a fire ant army.
These ants are attracted to oily and greasy foods and have an affection for pet food. For those who have pets and leave a bowl of food in the backyard, while that is kind for your pet, it could attract these ants.
How to Get Rid of Fire Ants
It is not suggested to get rid of fire ants yourself, especially if you have never tried to get rid of them before. You can't just cover up their hill and expect them to find another place to settle. They have a whole underground network that needs to be completely destroyed. If you have fire ants in your yard, you should consult with professionals to see what they recommend.
Once they are gone, keep pet food inside as much as possible and check your yard for any food that may have been dropped when eating outside.
Other Common Insects
Other common pests in Augusta are , flies, cockroaches, spiders, mosquitos, mice, fleas, ticks, wasps, bees and regular ants. This is a wide range of bugs that you want to keep outside. Once you notice any of these in your home, you could have a whole new problem in addition to just seeing crawling bugs all over your house.
How to Keep Your Home Bug-Free
For most critters and insects, keeping them out of your home doesn't require a lot of money or effort. A big one is to check your doors and windows for any cracks, holes or tears in screens. That is how most of them get into your home.
For the rest, proper lawn care is crucial. If you hate mowing your lawn in the Augusta sun, we get it, but you invite bugs to your yard the taller your grass gets and the more unruly your yard is.
Bugs and insects are a part of life, and you will see one or another in your home at some point. While we can't all live in harmony, there are things anyone can do to strengthen the boundary between us and the bugs. For Augusta residents, any insect issue is to be respected but swiftly taken care of. Once you are aware of an ant, mosquito, fly or other insect problem, call an expert to help you get rid of them properly and completely.
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