How to tell you have them
Fire ant mounds are loose, crumbly domes of soil with no opening on top, often in sunny lawn, along driveways and sidewalks and around utility boxes. They pop up after rain. Disturb one and reddish-brown ants of mixed sizes pour out and climb fast. Their stings burn, and by the next day each one usually turns into a small white blister.
What they damage
Beyond painful stings to people and pets, fire ants nest in and around air conditioning units, pool pumps and electrical boxes, where they can short out switches. People who are allergic to stings can have serious reactions, so call 911 for trouble breathing after stings.
What treatment looks like
We use the two-step method recommended by university extension services. First, a bait is spread over the whole treated lawn area, where foraging workers pick it up and carry it to the queens. Second, mounds near doors, play areas and walkways get an individual mound treatment for faster relief. Drenching one mound at a time with a hose-end product usually just makes the colony move a few feet. Please do not water, mow or rake for a day after a bait application, so the bait stays dry and in place.
How long it takes
Individual mound treatments work within days. Baits are slower, from about one to several weeks depending on the product, but they reach colonies you cannot see. New mounds can still appear as fire ants move in from neighboring yards, which is why treated areas are refreshed at each visit.
Florida notes
Fire ant activity rises in spring and again in fall in our seasonal model, with new mounds after every heavy rain. During flooding, fire ants float together in rafts, so keep clear of floating clusters of ants. Fire ant treatment in the perimeter and treated lawn areas is covered on every plan, starting with Quarterly.