Do Fire Ants Bite Cows?

Have you ever questioned, “Do fire ants bite cows?” We are here to answer that question: yes, they sure do. But to make matters worse, the bite isn’t the real problem– it’s the stings you need to look out for. Fire ants are even capable of taking down and killing a cow, especially one that is sick, young, or otherwise vulnerable, with the pain and poison of a mass attack.

Knowing these hard facts helps us understand why controlling these fire ant colonies is so important. With over 30 years of experience, Fire Ant Specialists is here to answer all of your questions about these invasive pests and provide effective treatment to help you take control of the problem. 

In just 2 to 3 treatments per year, we guarantee your property will be at least 95% fire ant-free. If treatments don’t provide the promised protection in the timeframe explained, we will come back to provide additional spot treatments at no extra cost. 

The Hazard and the Help

Imported red fire ants are a persistent problem throughout the southeastern U.S. and can be particularly detrimental to your livestock facilities and operations.

Fire ant stings are more than painful—they can trigger allergic reactions, which, in some cases, may be life-threatening. Their venom is potent enough to harm humans, so it’s no surprise that other animals can also fall victim to it. Treating your property to safeguard your herd is a smart and necessary step to ensure the safety of your livestock. 

Unfortunately, without new science, there is currently no available solution to eradicate these ants completely. However, Fire Ant Specialists’ treatments use granular bait to target and sterilize the queen ants, effectively killing 95% of the problem. 

The History of Fire Ants 

Solenopsis invicta, the red imported fire ant, came to the United States in the early 1930s, supposedly through the Port of Mobile. These ants flourish in warm and humid environments, making the Southeast an ideal place for them to live. Florida, of course, is at the top of the charts for warmth and humidity, making it a desirable destination for ant colonies to live and grow.

Red fire ants are aggressive and face very few competitors in their environments, meaning they can easily access and dominate natural resources like food and habitat. This lack of competition allows their populations to multiply and spread uncontrollably. 

In an attempt to control their spread, government-issued quarantines aim to regulate the movement of certain materials, like soil, plants with roots, grass sod, and used soil-moving equipment that can harbor the ants and promote their spread to unaffected areas. 

Collaborating with our sister companies, Fire Ant Specialists serves Central and North Central Florida, treating up to 1000 acres per day. Our weekend availability offers minimal disruptions to your workweek and daily operations. 

Why is Treatment so Important?

The impact of red fire ants on livestock businesses can be devastating. These include:

• Injury to cattle and workers
• Downtime caused by injuries
• Death of cattle or workers
• Damage to equipment
• Damage to structural foundations

When choosing the right treatment, it’s important to be sure that it is safe for use around cattle and humans. That’s why Fire Ant Specialists use regulated pet, animal, and human-safe granular bait. In fact, our treatment is so safe it does not even require a re-entry wait time. It is safe immediately after application.

Now that you know the invasive red fire ant can and will bite and sting cows, you can take action to protect your herds. Click here or call Fire Ant Specialists at 352-291-2687 for a free estimate or to schedule treatment now!