Fire Ant Control in DFW

What Are Red Imported Fire Ants?

Red imported fire ants are an invasive species that has spread across most of Texas. They build loose, dome-shaped dirt mounds in sunny areas of lawns, along driveways and sidewalks, near foundations, and in landscape beds. Mounds often appear or grow quickly after rain.

A single colony can contain tens of thousands of ants, and some areas have multiple-queen colonies that produce mounds close together. When a mound is disturbed, workers pour out and sting in numbers, which is what makes them such a problem in yards where children and pets play.

Why Fire Ants Thrive in North Texas

The DFW climate of warm seasons, periodic rain, and irrigated lawns suits fire ants well. Disturbed soil, open sunny turf, and reliable moisture from sprinkler systems all encourage mound building.

• Mounds favor sunny, open ground over deep shade.
• Activity rises after rain or irrigation as colonies move toward the surface.
• New yards and recently graded lots are quickly colonized from surrounding areas.
• Neighboring untreated properties are a constant source of reinfestation.

How to Reduce Fire Ants

The most reliable approach combines a broadcast bait that foraging ants carry back to the queen with targeted treatment of individual mounds. Treating only the mounds you can see often causes colonies to relocate rather than die out.

Because reinfestation from adjacent yards is common, fire ant control usually works best as a planned, area-wide program rather than a one-time spot treatment.

• Keep grass mowed and reduce excess moisture from over-irrigation.
• Avoid disturbing mounds, which scatters the colony.
• Wear closed shoes and watch for mounds in play areas.
• Ask for a property-wide plan rather than mound-by-mound treatment.