If you live in a planned community in Plano, your neighborhood probably has a Homeowners Association (HOA). This means you benefit from perfectly manicured common areas, greenbelts, and highly maintained lawns. These beautiful lawns, however, create a specific problem when dealing with fire ants.
The consistent watering and landscaping practices required by HOAs across neighborhoods like Lakeside on Preston or those near Legacy West actually help fire ant colonies thrive. A single fire ant colony can ruin a barbecue. A problem spreading across multiple HOA-managed properties is a serious health and safety concern.
Since fire ants move freely between properties, professional treatment is the only way to keep your family safe. Do not rely only on neighborhood maintenance to protect your home. Call saelapest.com today for a proactive HOA-area fire ant treatment plan.
Why Do Fire Ants Love The HOA Environment?
The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) thrives in the greenery that makes Plano HOAs look so attractive. Here are the two top reasons why the fire ants love the HO environment so much:
1. Consistent irrigation and soil stability.
HOA rules often require consistent lawn watering. This is also a necessity in the dry North Texas climate. However, a lot of watering can make the soil soft and easy to dig. Fire ants are master builders, and they need soft soil to build their underground tunnels.
The lack of major construction or disruption in established HOA areas means ant colonies have years to grow. They can build interconnected colonies without being disturbed. The steady water supply also ensures the ground is never too dry. This is perfect for their survival.
2. High-traffic migration.
In HOA communities, the lawns are all connected, and fire ants do not respect property lines. A colony that starts in a community park or a neighbor’s yard can easily spread to yours. They travel through the grass or under sidewalks and seek out the best spot to build a new mound.
When the HOA landscape maintenance crews mow or trim, they often disturb a mound. This forces the colony to immediately move or “bud” into multiple new satellite colonies. The ants use the root systems of the turf as highways to travel between properties.
Why You Should Never Ignore HOA-Area Mounds
If you see a Fire Ant mound, you should never ignore it. They can be especially dangerous in Plano’s suburban landscape.
First of all, the mounds near sidewalks, playgrounds, or mailboxes are the most dangerous. They are a major threat to children and pets. They are low to the ground and less likely to see the mound. A child playing near a mound can suffer dozens of painful stings, causing a lot of pain and itchy pustules.
For those with severe allergies, a mass stinging event can be life-threatening. The threat is always highest in the open spaces where families spend time.
If individual homeowners rely solely on treating the mounds they see, the problem only gets worse. The queen and the main colony simply move to a new location, which is often deeper underground. Over time, this leads to the development of more deep-rooted colonies. These are known as “super mounds” and are extremely hard to eliminate.
Hire Saela Pest For A Dedicated HOA Pest Shield
Fighting fire ants requires a professional approach. You need a slow-acting bait that the ants carry deep underground to the queen.
Saela Pest Control can help you. They are known for delivering long-lasting control across your entire lawn to eliminate the colony and prevent new ones from forming. They understand how fire ants behave in irrigated lawns and will secure your family’s safety against the constant suburban threat.
Ready to safely enjoy your yard without fear of aggressive fire ants? Call Saela Pest Control now for a guaranteed treatment plan!
