How to Get Rid of Red Imported Fire Ants
A small, aggressive reddish-brown ant that builds dome-shaped mounds of loose soil in sunny lawns and fields across the southern US. When disturbed, workers swarm and sting repeatedly. If you are seeing them in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios, the steps below will help you clear them out and keep them from coming back.
Quick answer
- Broadcast a fire ant bait across the yard in warm, dry weather
- Treat individual mounds a few days after baiting
- Wear boots and avoid standing on or near mounds
Fire ant stings burn, form white pustules, and can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive people.
Confirm you have red imported fire ants
Before you treat anything, make sure you are really dealing with red imported fire ants. Adults measure 2–6 mm (up to about 0.24 in) and are usually red and brown. Look for these features:
- Mixed sizes of copper-red workers in one colony
- Loose, fluffy dirt mounds with no central opening
- Swarms quickly up legs when the mound is disturbed
They are most often confused with Pharaoh ant, Argentine ant and velvet ant. See the full red imported fire ant profile for side-by-side details.
Why you have red imported fire ants
Red Imported Fire Ants nest in sheltered spots close to food, water and building materials. Late-summer colonies are at their largest and most defensive. Sweet drinks, open trash and pet food attract foraging workers. They are most active in spring, summer and fall, so expect to see more of them then.
When you'll see red imported fire ants
Red Imported Fire Ants are most active in spring, summer and fall. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.
Typical places to check: lawn or grass and yard or patio.
Step-by-step: getting rid of red imported fire ants
Step 1: Broadcast a fire ant bait across the yard in warm
Broadcast a fire ant bait across the yard in warm, dry weather. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Step 2: Treat individual mounds a few days after baiting
Treat individual mounds a few days after baiting. This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that makes the biggest difference.
Step 3: Wear boots
Wear boots and avoid standing on or near mounds. Combine this with the other steps rather than relying on it alone.
Natural and low-toxicity options
These methods work well alongside the steps above and keep chemical use to a minimum:
- Keep food and drinks covered outdoors.
- Use lidded trash cans and rinse recycling.
- Hang traps away from where people gather.
- Avoid swatting, which can provoke more stings.
If you do use a pesticide, choose one labeled for this pest and the place you're treating, and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.
When to call a professional
Never try to remove a large or hidden nest yourself, especially if you are allergic to stings. A pest professional has protective gear and can treat nests in walls or underground safely.
How to keep red imported fire ants from coming back
- Inspect eaves, sheds and play sets in spring for small starter nests.
- Seal openings in siding and soffits.
- Fill in holes in lawns and garden beds.
- Wear shoes outdoors, especially on grass.
Safety notes
Fire ant stings burn, form white pustules, and can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive people.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
About ants
The red imported fire ant is one of the ants. Ants live in colonies ruled by one or more egg-laying queens. The workers you see are sterile females foraging for the rest of the colony, so killing visible ants rarely solves anything. Winged ants, called swarmers, appear when a mature colony sends out new kings and queens.
Bait works because workers carry it back and share it with the queen and larvae. Repellent sprays can scatter the colony and make the problem harder to fix.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of red imported fire ants?
Broadcast a fire ant bait across the yard in warm, dry weather. Most people see a clear drop in activity within one to three weeks when they combine this with sealing entry points and removing whatever attracts them.
Are red imported fire ants dangerous?
Fire ant stings burn, form white pustules, and can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive people.
When are red imported fire ants most active?
Red Imported Fire Ants are most active in spring, summer and fall.
What do red imported fire ants look like?
Mixed sizes of copper-red workers in one colony. Adults measure 2–6 mm (up to about 0.24 in).