Victor Markle of Markle Pest Management & Tree Service, Inc., Corinne Karp, CEO of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, and Judy Wanner of FMC Professional Solutions join forces to fight fire ants at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

DALLAS, Texas – Sick children and their families at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas have one less thing to worry about this summer – fire ants.

On May 25, Markle Pest Management & Tree Service of Mesquite, Texas and FMC Professional Solutions donated a treatment of Talstar XTRA granular insecticide to the two-acre site. Though fire ants have been a problem in the area for years, the donation ensures the Ronald McDonald House property will be fire ant free this summer.

“With the rains we’ve had in Dallas recently, fire ant activity is at an all-time high," says Victor Markle, who runs the company along with his brother Jay. "With the serious medical challenges these children are facing, they cannot risk allergic reactions or other problems due to fire ant stings."

Markle Pest Control donated the manpower while FMC donated four bags of its new Talstar XTRA granular insecticide. The product — which is not restricted use — eliminates fire ants in as little as minutes while also providing broad spectrum residual control for three months or more, according to FMC.

“Because of its speed, Talstar XTRA is uniquely suited for high-risk properties like the Ronald McDonald House,” explains Markle. “We treated in the morning and by the afternoon the property had no fire ant activity and was safe for the kids.”

Fire ants live in mounds in all types of turf and along driveways and sidewalks. When disturbed, fire ants will attack intruders, stinging multiple times. Each year, fire ants cost the Dallas area $121 million in property damage, medical treatments and control expenses.

"We couldn't do what we do if it wasn't for folks like Victor," says Corinne Karp, COO of the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, which provides a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children seeking treatment from area hospitals. "For 20 years, their commitment to us has never faltered."