Schools

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) infest over 360 million acres across the southern United States, where they have become a significant agricultural pest and health hazard, injuring over 20 million adults and children each year with their stings.

When looking for infestations, grounds managers can check for mounds, especially after it rains, when fire ants relocate their colonies to areas near vertical structures like sidewalks, posts, etc.

These mounds may be the only sign of fire ants. If you see them, you can be sure that thousands and millions of fire ants continue to expand below ground – in terms of population and physical tunnels.

Schools and Fire Ants

Fire ants are a serious problem on school campuses. Students will likely encounter fire ants on playgrounds and sports fields, but they can also be problematic in the bathrooms, cafeteria, and classrooms. The situation can be hazardous, especially for younger children who may not know they have an allergy.

The response to a fire ant attack is usually burning and itching pain, followed by the appearance of a hard bump with a white center. Anaphylactic shock can occur, which requires immediate medical attention to prevent a deadly outcome.

Teachers know that a line of fire ants marching through the classroom looking for food can send a classroom full of students into a panic, but this isn’t the only problem that arises when fire ants invade school buildings. Aside from injury, fire ants can affect other parts of the campus.

As they travel below sidewalks, parking lots, and other elevated surfaces, they often enter buildings and cracks in concrete and pavement. As the colony migrates, fire ants can also damage the electrical components of lighting and HVAC units.

Treating School Grounds

The fire ant solution for schools from Fire Ant Specialists has been approved for applications around children, pets, livestock, and crops without requiring a period of restricted entry on private property. The granular bait is strong and effective, requiring reapplication every four months to maintain freedom from fire ants.

Fire Ant Specialists, provides the most effective treatment for maintaining a fire-ant-free school property, and we’ll do it in an affordable, non-disruptive, and convenient manner.