Fire ants, ticks and yellow jackets are invaders you should take seriously
Some creatures are beneficial, some aren’t. Here are three you don’t want in your yard. If you do have them, Slug-A-Bug can help rid you of these persistent pests, quickly and safely.
Fire ants
Their reputation is legendary in the southern United States. Anyone who absent-mindedly steps on a fire ant mound and stands there for a few seconds will feel their wrath. These are highly aggressive insects that pour out of a nest to defend it, almost instantly. Before you know it, tiny warriors can be halfway up your calf, inflicting stings that result in itchy pustules.
But fire ants are undesirable for more than just the damage they wreak on humans. They do terrible things to your lawn, too. The prolific mounds are blemishes on a property. The longer you neglect them, the taller and wider these insect high-rises grow.
With all the damage to lawns, golf courses and farmers’ fields, some place the damage at $6 billion per year in the United States. That’s a lot of havoc for such a small creature.
Ticks
If ever there were an animal with no redeeming qualities, the tick may be it. These arachnids latch onto you, your dogs and your cats, gorging themselves on blood. Their bodies balloon to massive proportions as they do so.
As if that weren’t bad enough, ticks carry serious disease. In Florida, the American dog tick is the one that most commonly transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Disease symptoms include fever that leads to a spotted, red rash; a loss of appetite; muscular pain and vomiting.
Lyme disease is another tick-borne illness, but is much more common in the cooler northern regions of the country than in Florida. In recent years, however, there has been an uptick (no pun intended) in Florida cases — something that perplexes researchers. If left untreated by antibiotics, Lyme disease can damage a person’s joints, nervous system and even heart.
Yellow jackets
This is another creature in your yard that can hurt you. Yellow jackets are aggressive and anyone who happens upon a nest can learn the hard way. Because nests are often underground and unobtrusive, people can get stung while mowing the lawn over the top of them. Ground vibrations can summon hundreds of these insects to defend a nest, putting people in danger of injury. For people allergic to their venom, it can even mean death.
Because these insects are always seeking food, including meat, they often show up to scavenge at your backyard cookout. People trying to shoo them are at risk of a sting. And they can sting over and over again, unlike the honeybee, which generally dies after delivering one sting to a human. Yellow jackets will even hold onto human flesh with their jaws, anchoring themselves to sting repeatedly.
Be careful out there
Florida is a wonderful place to live and recreate. But with all the time Floridians spend outdoors, it’s important they be mindful of these creatures that can do us harm. Be aware of any fire ant mounds or yellow jacket nests in your yard. If you enjoy hiking, be sure to take precautions against ticks. If possible, avoid wearing shorts (that may be tough here in Florida). A good way to prevent tick infestation is to tuck your pants into your socks. And of course, inspect your clothing, gear and person after being in the woods.
Remember, Slug-A-Bug is here to help you in this fight against these dangerous pests. Call us at 321-259-7844 for a free evaluation.