Fire Ants Biology
Red and black are the common colors for identifying fire ants. But the "nodes" that exist only in the ant family can help differentiate them from other ants as well. This is the number of nodes that the fire ant has.
2
This treatment consists of placing a residual and/or systemic pesticide along the perimeter and against the home. It can be one continuous spray.
Barrier or band treatment
You can use granular baits or even dust to treat an anthill. But this other action will effectively control anthills at a home.
Drench/flood with powerspray
This behavior of millipedes happens during certain times of the year, bringing hundreds of this pest into yards and homes.
Migration
What's on the menu? Compared to the carnivorous centipede, the millipede is this-
Herbivore/detritivore (decaying plant matter)
This "picture" doesn't show the life cycle of ants but a Queen next to her workers. These larger ants appear when a colony is this.
Older
This treatment uses granules to cover a wide range.
Broadcast
This is the number of ounces of Advion Fire Ant Bait you should apply for 1,000 Sq ft.
0.5 oz
True or False: Non-chemical ways of treating millipedes are dethatch the lawn, closely mowing/edging lawn, removing debris, and watering plants early in the morning.
True
Millipedes belong to the order Diplopoda. For each segment, the millipede usually has this many pairs of legs-
2 pair
Mounds are a good characteristic for fire ants. But even-more-so are their sting. 95% of their venom are alkaloids that act with necrotoxic effects to kill tissue. The other 5% is made of 3 kinds of this molecule that causes the itchiness, swelling, and allergic reaction.
Protein,
makeup is similar to bee and wasp.
This treatment targets specific nesting areas for fire ants.
Individual Mound Treatment
True or False: Bait is still effective if thrown on top of where you have sprayed pesticides.
False
Millipedes tend to harbor underneath debris and in areas with lots of moisture. Taking your time with this treatment lets you penetrate more deeply to reach them.
Powerspray
When disturbed the millipede does this action and may also produce a foul smelling chemical.
Curls up
Did you know? There are two species of fire ants in FL. The most notorious is Solenopsis invicta (Latin: invincible/ unconquered), or the RIFA. The abbreviation, RIFA, stands for this:
Red Imported Fire Ant.
The other species in native to FL.
The homeowner can also contribute. This is one of many responsibilities that the homeowner should do.
Sanitary conditions, clean, cut grass/plants
Remember to do this with the homeowner before and after you treat.
Educate
True or False: Wire mesh around weep holes and openings can help prevent millipedes from invading a home.
True, it does help.
While centipedes are usually flat with long antennae, millipedes are this shape.
Round, cylindrical
This is one way you can tell the native and non-native fire ants apart.
Mounds of S. geminata will contain workers with square-shaped heads that are larger in proportion to the rest of their body.
Workers of S. invicta do not have workers with disproportionate head to body ratios.
Watch the decapitating fly "gif". The video gives an example of biological control. This kind of fly is a natural enemy of the fire ant.
Phorid Fly/ Filth Fly/ Humpbacked Fly
For fire ant mounds in the yard, it is a good chance to make a sale. This is the amount for a 6 month guarantee.
$75 (I think)
Remember to make go backs!
This type of exterior treatment, that does not consist of repellents, can also alleviate the problem.
Broadcast/ granular baits
The centipede has fangs that will inject venom into its prey. Some millipedes also produce this chemical. It is a poison that they produce as a defense.
Cyanide