Having ants colonize around your home is a persistent problem. Without proper control, these pests will continue to grow and populate.
Fire arts are the worst type of ants due to their aggressive nature and attacking anyone approaching them.
There are multiple solutions to dealing with pests, including harsh chemicals like bleach.
This article will explore the effectiveness of bleach against fire ants and if it’s the best solution.
Why Should You Kill Fire Ants With Bleach?
Fire ants are one of the few pests that can put up a fight. One bite from an act is painful enough to leave some people in anaphylactic shock.
The mounds these ants build take up space and quickly invite a whole colony to infest the territory.
The longer these ants are left alone, the more you put yourself and your guests at risk of being attacked.
Is Bleach Effective Against Fire Ants?
Bleach has been an effective solution against pests for a long time. Its strong corrosive nature can destroy any colony in its path.
When you pour bleach on fire ants, the chemicals produce a deadly poison and disintegrate the ants quickly.
Pests of miniature size don’t have bodies strong enough to survive against bleach. Once the chemical enters the ants’ spiracles, their insides burn until death.
Why is it a Problem to Kill Fire Ants With Bleach?
Bleach can kill fire ants, but many exterminators and pest control teams advise against it.
Here are some reasons why you should use bleach as a last resort.
Short-Term Solution
The bleach results are promising, but it doesn’t mean that the ant infestation will go away.
Don’t fool yourself for what you see on the surface of an ant colony. There can be over a thousand ants hiding under each mound.
Pouring bleach directly into the mound’s entrance can kill a large portion of fire ants, but not the entire colony.
Leaving behind survivors gives the fire ants another chance to repopulate and build a new home elsewhere.
Danger to People
Bleach is just as dangerous to people as it is to fire ants.
If you don’t wear proper safety equipment, exposure to bleach can irritate your eyes, nose, and skin. Inhaling the bleach can burn your lungs and create breathing problems.
Professionals say not to use bleach with children and pets in the house. The chemical is too toxic to risk anyone’s safety.
Reactive Chemicals
Bleach has the potential to react with other chemicals nearby. Mixing it with other highly reactive compounds leads to terrible outcomes.
For example, vinegar and bleach create chlorine gas that can cause severe chest pains and respiratory issues.
What Are Some Alternatives to Bleach?
Using bleach puts your health at risk and doesn’t guarantee complete extermination.
Here are some alternative solutions that are safer and kill fire ants.
Dish Soap and Water
Mix up dish soap and water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spray over the fire ants.
The soapy water suffocates the ant and drowns them within a minute.
Vinegar
A chemical like bleach but not as dangerous. Mixing it with water dilutes the chemical compounds and dissolves the fire ants.
Conclusion
Having an ant infestation in your yard or home isn’t fun. Bleach can kill fire ants without a problem. The methods carry many risks, and you should look for alternative options before using bleach.