Fire Ant Mounds in Your Yard? Here’s What Actually Works in Texas

Fire ants are aggressive, invasive pests that thrive in Texas lawns thanks to our long warm seasons, humid conditions, and sandy or clay soils. Their painful stings can send you, your kids, or even your pets running for cover. Left unchecked, these colonies spread fast, damaging turf and property.

If you’ve noticed suspicious mounds in your yard or want to avoid a full-blown infestation, this post will help you spot, understand, and control fire ants — and know when it’s time to call in professionals for backup.

Why Fire Ants Are a Bigger Problem in Texas Lawns

Fire ants, especially the invasive red imported fire ants, are far more active in the South. In Texas, their peak mound-building seasons hit during spring and fall, but thanks to the mild winters of Texas, they’re a nearly year-round problem.

Our state’s compacted or sandy soils give these pests the perfect environment to thrive. Colonies reproduce faster, grow larger, and often displace native ant species in the process. Beyond wrecking your turfgrass roots, fire ants are notorious for nesting near AC units, electrical boxes, patios, and sidewalks, putting your home and lawn at constant risk.

Common Signs of Fire Ant Infestation

How do you know if fire ants are setting up shop in your yard? Watch for these telltale signs:

• Raised mounds 2–18 inches wide, often with no visible hole in the top.
• Increased stings or sightings of reddish ants near outdoor living areas.
• Disturbed turf or plants dying from below due to tunneling activity.
• More activity after rain or watering, when ants rebuild and forage aggressively.
• Colonies splitting and moving to new areas when disturbed.

Pro Tip: Don’t stomp on a mound. Crushing it only encourages the colony to split and spread, making the infestation worse.

Why DIY Fire Ant Control Often Fails in Texas

Many homeowners reach for store-bought sprays or baits when they spot fire ant mounds. But in Texas, these DIY treatments often miss the mark. Here’s why:

• Over-the-counter sprays only kill surface ants — not the queen or deep workers.
• Poorly timed treatments can cause colony splitting (budding), creating multiple new nests.
• The Texas heat and heavy rain quickly break down consumer-grade products.
• Most DIYers don’t know when fire ants are foraging, which is key for successful baiting.

The Importance of Targeting the Entire Colony

Fire ant colonies can house over 250,000 ants and often have multiple queens. Surface spraying might take out a handful of workers, but the only way to eliminate the source is with professional-grade baits, drenches, and insect growth regulators (IGRs) that target the whole colony.

Typical Fire Ant Removal Strategies

Licensed technicians don’t just treat the visible mounds, they go after the entire problem. Here’s what professional fire ant control in Texas usually involves:

• Seasonally timed applications of baits, drenches, and barrier treatments.
• Pet- and kid-safe products designed for long-lasting residual control.
• A full service approach: inspection, treatment, and follow-up visits if needed.
• Locating and treating satellite colonies hidden across the property.
• Options for quarterly fire ant prevention to keep your yard protected year-round.

Rely on Bob Short's LawnEnvy for Professional Fire Ant Control In Texas

Fire ants have become a major problem in Texas, disrupting outdoor activities, damaging lawns, and putting your family and pets at risk with their painful stings. At Bob Short’s LawnEnvy, we’ve developed a fire ant control service designed to stop infestations fast and keep them from coming back.

Our Fire Ant Control Process:

• A thorough property assessment to identify fire ant activity
• Application of Top Choice granular treatment by licensed professionals
• Follow-up inspections to ensure success
• Expert recommendations for ongoing prevention

Why Choose Bob Short’s LawnEnvy?

• Licensed Top Choice applicators
• Experienced technicians trained in fire ant biology and behavior
• Year-round protection with a single application
• Family- and pet-safe treatments when applied by professionals
• A comprehensive approach to fire ant management

Don’t let fire ants ruin your lawn or outdoor enjoyment. Trust Bob Short’s LawnEnvy to provide long-lasting, effective fire ant control that keeps your yard safe and enjoyable all year.

Get ahead of fire ant season with a professional assessment today. Call Bob Short's LawnEnvy now for fire ant control that works long after the mounds are gone.