Tag Archives: Fire ants

Top 3 Pests In Houston

I was fortunate enough to sit down with one of the pest management professionals at Bulwark Exterminating in Houston a few days ago, and get some much needed advice about some of the pests in the area.

One of the questions I really was interested in getting an answer too was, “What are the most common pests in the Houston area you guys get call about?”

Here are the top three pests in Houston:

3. Crazy Ants

Ants on raspberries

If I was to ask what the most called about pests are in Houston a couple years ago, the Crazy ant would not have even made the top ten. This ant, also referred to as the Rasberry Crazy ant or the Tawny Crazy ant, is a virtual newcomer to Houston. Even though this ant is relatively new to the area, it is taken over in huge numbers; pushing out other species of ant.

The reason Bulwark get’s so many calls about Crazy ants is that they will literally go everywhere. They invade homes, attracted to electrical impulses of our electronics and appliances. Once inside, they’ll nest in walls, and will damage electrical equipment by swarming inside. This behavior in known to cause air conditioners, and other electrical equipment to short out and fail. The result? Expensive repairs. Its because of this reason, homeowners get professional Houston ant control; before Crazy ant problems escalate.

Learn more about Houston Fire ants being driven out by Crazy ants. 

2. Fire Ants

Fire Ant Face

It’s hard to argue with the Fire ant being number two on the list of most common called about pests in Houston… Their stings are miserable! Fire ants make it really hard to send your kids out in the back yard to play. When your kids’ curiosity sets in, they’re going to disturb one of the fire ant mounds… It may even be by accident. Upon doing so, the colony of Fire ants will come spilling out of the mound, ready to defend their nest by stinging! When they sting, they grab tight with their pinchers and continuously sting with their abdomen in a circular motion. Multiply this a dozen times, and you have a very painful and unfortunate situation on your hands. Ouch!

When you see those huge ant mounds in your backyard, it’s time to enlist the services of a Houston Fire ant control professional.

Learn more about Houston residents battling Fire ants. 

1. Cockroaches

Cockroach

The hot and humid Houston weather, combined with the moderate winters, make ideal breeding conditions for cockroaches. Their sheer numbers are almost incomparable to almost any other major U.S. city. The mass quantities of cockroaches in Houston make them the number one most frequent pest in Houston.

Cockroaches are bugs of the night, scurrying around in the darkness looking for food and water. They are not fussy eaters at all, eating whatever organic substance they can find inside your home. Roaches are reported to spread some 33 different kinds of bacteria, diseases, worms and parasites. Professional Houston roach control is needed to eliminate them from your home.

Houston Pest Control 

If you are tired of battling Crazy ants, Fire ants, cockroaches, or any other type of pest; it’s time to call an exterminator!

Bulwark Exterminating
10900 Brittmoore Park Drive
Houston, TX 77041
(281) 668-4930
bulwarkpestcontrol.com 
 
AAAnimal Pro: Wildlife Control
8280 Golf Green Circle
Houston, TX 77036
(832) 248- 7804
houstonwildlifepatrol.com 
 
Terminix
16155 Park Row, Suite 190
Houston, TX 77084
(832) 460-3698
terminix.com 
 

Houston Fire Ants Driven Out By ‘Crazy’ Ant Species

Ant_Biting_Skin

Rasberry Crazy Ants Driving Out Fire Ants In Houston

Most of us in Houston are very familiar with the wretched Red Imported Fire ants. They make huge mounds on our property, and one painful sting from this pesky ant will be a constant reminder to keep your distance.

Over the last few years, Houston residents have been noticing a different species of ant; a species that some are calling far worse than the fire ant. I’m talking about the Rasberry (not raspberry) Crazy ant, and it’s beginning to displace fire ants in many areas in Houston.

Areas in Houston infested with Crazy ants have very few fire ants present. The reason being is that the Rasberry Crazy ants are an extremely invasive species that out-compete all other species of ant found in Houston.

Ants on raspberriesCrazy Ants vs. Fire Ants: Why Are Crazy Ants So Bad?

Rasberry Crazy ants are so bad, and so destructive, many residents are clamoring to get the fire ants back!

Crazy ants quickly outnumber other ant species because they multiply in even larger numbers. They are also difficult to control since they don’t eat the same poison baits as fire ants do.

Fire ants are in many ways very polite compared to crazy ants. When fire ants move into in your yard, they’ll form mounds and stay there. The Fire ants will only interact with you if you bother them or step on their unmistakable mounds.

Rasberry Crazy ants, on the other hand, “go everywhere,” invading homes and nesting in walls and crawlspaces, even damaging electrical equipment by swarming inside appliances. These ants are attracted to electrical impulses, chewing through electric insulation; they cause stop lights, air conditions, and other electrical equipment to short circuit. After being drawn into electrical equipment, they can easily cause shortages. Such actions often result in expensive repairs that inflict Houston homeowners.

On a positive note, Crazy ants don’t inflict painful stings like the Red Imported Fire Ants do.

Learn more about pest control methods for Fire Ants

Rasberry Crazy Ants

Imported from Brazil and Argentina in the 1930’s, the Rasberry Crazy ant has been infesting the Southeastern United States ever since. They are named after Tom Rasberry, the exterminator in Houston who discovered them. They are sometimes referred to as Tawny ants, but most people prefer the moniker “Crazy” because the ant’s erratic and non-linear movements.

Rasberry Crazy ants range in size from 1/16-1/8 inches long. They have slender bodies with long legs, and long antenna. They are reddish-brown in color, and are covered with fuzz. This fuzz makes the ant appear less glossy then other species of ant; and lead many to define the ant as “hairy.”

Ant Control In Houston, TX

Whether you are dealing with the painful stinging Red Imported Fire ant, or the destructive Rasberry Crazy ant; professional Houston Ant Control can help you with all of your ant problems. Ant control professionals in Houston are up to date on of the latest and most effective ant control methods and techniques to help Houston residents live ant free. Call today!

Bulwark Exterminating
10900 Brittmoore Park Drive
Houston, TX 77041
(281) 668-4930
bulwarkpestcontrol.com 
AAAnimal Pro: Wildlife Control
8280 Golf Green Circle
Houston, TX 77036
(832) 248- 7804
houstonwildlifepatrol.com 
Terminix
16155 Park Row, Suite 190
Houston, TX 77084
(832) 460-3698
terminix.com
 

 

Houston Residents Battling Fire Ants

fire_ant_worker1

fire_ant_worker1 (Photo credit: bart_drees)

If you live anywhere in the Houston, TX area you have likely had an unfortunate encounter with the Red Imported Fire ant. These ants have the reputation of being one of the worst pests in Texas, and rightfully so. In terms of human health, property damage, and environmental damage; no other pest can match the malevolence of these property pests… And Houston residents know it!

Houston Fire Ants

Residents of Houston, and surrounding areas, have been battling Red Imported Fire ants since their arrival in the late 1930’s. Their population has spread tremendously; so much in fact that certain areas in Texas have reported some 200 Fire Ant mounds per acre. That’s a scary thought considering one fire ant mount can house more than 250,000 ants a piece.

Another scary thought is that stings from these ants have been responsible for some 100+ deaths. Most of these deaths occur when someone who is stung has insect allergies. Painful fire ant stings can send a victim into anaphylactic shock. A sting victim will experience pain, swelling, itching, redness, dizziness, disorientation, and vomiting.

As you can imagine, these ants can create a major pest control problem for homeowners and local residents. Bulwark Pest Control technicians report that Fire Ants are one of the most frequently called about pests in the Houston, Texas area.

The Impact Of Fire Ants In Texas

Fire ant nest

Fire ant nest (Photo credit: Martin LaBar (going on hiatus))

If their stings weren’t serious enough, Fire Ants can also cause severe property and agricultural damage. Fire Ant mounds can measure several feet in diameter and reach eight feet deep into the soil. This building activity has damaged plant roots, lead to the loss of crops, and interfered with agricultural cultivation.

On top of it all, Red Imported Fire ants are also attracted to electrical wiring and equipment. They are known for creeping into the electrical wiring of stop lights and shorting them out. This activity is the leading cause of traffic light malfunctions in Texas.

In the state of Texas, Red Imported Fire ants cause more than $140 million in damage each year.

The FDA estimates more than $5 billion is spent annually on medical treatment, damage, and control in Fire Ant infested areas.

Ant Control For Fire Ants

Red Imported Fire ant infestations are very challenging to completely eliminate. A one time treatment from an exterminator, or a do-it-yourself pest control method, will only break up the ants into smaller colonies as they wait out the effects of the pesticide. Controlling Fire Ant populations takes consistent effort, and ant control strategies, from a professional who has experience in treating these malevolent insects.

Houston Ant Control

Bulwark Exterminating
10900 Brittmoore Park Drive
Houston, TX 77041
(281) 668-4930
bulwarkpestcontrol.com
 
AAAnimal Pro: Wildlife Control
8280 Golf Green Circle
Houston, TX 77036
(832) 248- 7804
houstonwildlifepatrol.com
 
Terminix
16155 Park Row, Suite 190
Houston, TX 77084
(832) 460-3698
terminix.com

Merry Christmas From Pest Control Houston

Houston Galleria Christmas Tree

So Much To Do Before Christmas

In just a couple short weeks, Christmas will be here! Are you ready? This time of year we all get so busy. We juggle the Christmas shopping, making travel plans, hanging the outdoor Christmas lights, decorating the tree, and baking those delicious Christmas cookies. Among all of this hustle and bustle, it is easy to forget about the pest control. Unwanted pests can completely ruin an otherwise enjoyable holiday season.

Having A Pest Free Christmas

Houston Pest control professionals can help you have a pest free Christmas. Many offer ant control, rodent control, and spider control. Enrollment in these pest treatment programs will not only eradicate these bothersome pests, but keep them from ever returning to your property.

If you live in the Houston, TX area, and are having trouble with Raspberry ants, Fire ants, or spiders like the Black Widow or the Brown Recluses; call a Houston pest control expert before your Christmas guests get here! Don’t let those pesky ants carry away your Christmas dinner!

Merry Christmas

May you and yours have a very merry and pest free Christmas! May your holidays be overflowing with joy, and your 2013 be filled with many great and prosperous things.

Houston Pest Control Companies:

Bulwark Exterminating
10900 Brittmoore Park Drive
Houston, TX 77041
(281) 668-4930
bulwarkpestcontrol.com

AAAnimal Pro: Wildlife Control
8280 Golf Green Circle
Houston, TX 77036
(832) 248- 7804
houstonwildlifepatrol.com

Terminix
16155 Park Row, Suite 190
Houston, TX 77084
(832) 460-3698
terminix.com