What to do if you find a fire ant nest in your yard

Imagine you’re out for a leisurely stroll in your yard and the ground is disturbed. While your first thought might not be “What is that nest in my yard?“You want to take precautions, especially if you see mounded structures and grinding reddish-brown ants. In discussing the steps you should take when you find a fire ant nest in your yard, Patricia Hotel, an entomologist Orkin“Homeowners should avoid disturbing mounds, as fire ants will aggressively defend their colony and may sting repeatedly,” Hunkarn says in a special meeting. Since you don’t want to deal with itching, pain, and swelling (yes, their stings are poisonous), it’s best if you cordon off the area. Our expert agrees and adds, “Keep children and pets away from the area.”

And even if you’re willing to risk a painful bite, it’s not something you can do Get rid of fire ants By simply flattening the raised mound. Elucidating why, Hotel explains, “Remember, the colony lives in an extensive underground tunnel system, so surface disturbance doesn’t eliminate it. In fact, underground activity can cause fire ant mounds to migrate nearby or reappear.” So, when you see an ant nest in your lawn, be careful and make sure you’re dealing with fire ants or their look-alike brethren. To help you tell the difference, our expert states, “Fire ant nests stand out because they are raised above the ground and lack a central opening, while many other ants build nests with visible entry points.” Once you are sure, take action. “Consult a licensed pest control professional to properly assess and treat the infestation,” she recommends.

It’s important to determine whether you’re dealing with a fire ant nest or something else, Patricia Hotel cautions that you’ll typically see two types in the U.S. Speaking specifically to Hunker, she says, “In the southern U.S., you may encounter a native species of fire ant. In northern states this is not as common. It’s more aggressive than the native species, but they also build their nests differently.” “Invasive fire ant nests typically appear as loose, dome-shaped mounds of soil in sunny, open areas such as lawns, pastures or sidewalks,” she elaborates.

The mounds are also large. “A single nest can contain 100,000 to 500,000 ants, and some mounds can grow as much as two feet wide and several inches high,” she shares. Although each colony has different sizes of ants, they are all equally aggressive and can hurt you if they feel threatened. “When disturbed, fire ants respond quickly and swarm, often climbing vertically onto whatever touches the nest,” shares Hotel. “They are known to bite repeatedly, followed by small, white pustules.” In addition to your yard, you can also encounter their nests in your electrical or gas meter box if they are in contact with the ground, adds the hotel.

Eliminating fire ants from your yard is extremely difficult and can be dangerous. Because of that, DIY pest control Action is not recommended. “While over-the-counter products such as bait and treatments are available, it’s important for homeowners to know that DIY methods often won’t remove the entire colony, especially since fire ant nests are deep and complex,” Patricia Hottel tells Hunker exclusively. Instead, she notes that it’s best to contact a professional and have them get rid of the structures installed. You should spend between $100 and $250 (invasive species may cost extra). But our expert reminds us, “(It’s) the most reliable way to achieve long-term control and reduce the risk of reinfection.”

Afterwards, you should take steps to ensure you don’t get re-infected. The best way to do this is to cut off their means of sustenance, aka food, water sources and safe shelter. To start, “Fix leaks, improve drainage and avoid standing water in your yard,” recommends the hotel. This will help remove excess moisture. Now remove all food items. “Remove food items, trash and fallen fruit that may attract ants,” she advises. Maintaining a pristine lawn will also go a long way in preventing fire ants from settling. You want to “keep vegetation, tree debris, and mulch or wood piles away from your home.”