Texas Fire Ant and Pest Control Tips

Are fire ants causing trouble in your yard? Do you want to keep pesky pests away from your home’s perimeter? Aggieland Green is here to help! We understand the frustration of dealing with fire ant activity and lawn pests in Houston, College Station, and surrounding areas. Check out these easy tips for Texas fire ant control and learn how our pest control services can help you achieve a happy, healthy lawn this summer! 

‘Fun Facts’ About Fire Ants in Texas

Fire ants are a common problem for Texas homeowners. To get rid of fire ants, you should start with getting to know the enemy! Fire ants are known for their painful bites and aggressive behavior. Here are helpful facts to know if you’re dealing with a fire ant problem in your Texas lawn.  

Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA)

Texas is where you can find a type of fire ant called Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA). They came to the United States by accident in the 1930s and are now all over the southern states, including Texas. 

Aggressive Builders

Fire ants are good at making homes. They build big mounds out of dirt where they live. These mounds can be small or big and can be an eyesore in garden beds and lawns. 

The Infamous Sting

Red imported fire ants have a painful sting. It can make your skin itch, burn, and swell. They’re sensitive to movement and vibrations. So while they might trigger you to shake and squirm, that triggers them to sting, and you might get stung by lots of them at once. Some people can even have allergic reactions to excessive fire ant bites. 

Queens of Colony

Most fire ant colonies have one queen but some can have many queens. Having multiple queens helps their families grow faster and make more ants. No thanks!  

Heat Survivors

Fire ants can handle the hot weather in Texas. They can survive even when it’s really hot or there’s not much water around by hiding deep in their homes or sticking together. 

Fire Ant Species

There are different fire ant species throughout Texas and the US. RIFA’s are an invasive species to other native ants in Texas. While different species may vary slightly in size or behavior, they all look similar and are bunched under the solo ‘fire ant’ label.  

Texas Fire Ant Control Tips

If you’re dealing with fire ant mounds in your lawn, there are a few options for control methods. 

• Consider using a fire ant bait product that targets fire ant colonies at the source for the most effective, fast-acting fire ant control.  
• For targeted control of individual fire ant mounds, use a mound drench containing insecticide. Follow label directions carefully for safe and effective application. 
• Broadcast bait products can help eliminate fire ant colonies throughout your entire yard. These granular products are spread evenly over the turfgrass to kill worker ants and the queen, disrupting the entire colony. 
• Fire ants are attracted to food sources such as crumbs, spills, and pet food. Keep outdoor areas clean and store food in sealed containers to discourage fire ant activity. 
• Take proactive steps to prevent fire ant infestations by regularly treating your yard with slow-acting fire ant control products early in the year for long-lasting control. 

Homeowners looking for an organic control method might consider pouring hot or boiling water as individual mound treatments. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, this will kill fire ants around 60% of the time. Fire ant colonies are modular and can pack up and move to another area of your lawn. It’s almost important to be careful with boiling water near your grass or garden, as it can cause damage.  

Protection from Other Common Pests in Texas

So you’ve got the fire ant mounds in the lawn handled, but what if they make their way inside? The hot summers in Texas are not only a welcome place for ants but many other creepy crawlers, too. If you want to protect yourself and your home from ants and other pests getting inside, you may consider perimeter pest control treatments. Perimeter pest control works by applying insecticide around the exterior of your home to create a barrier of protection. Aggieland Green offers perimeter pest control that can control earwigs, millipedes, ants, spiders, cockroaches, and more.  

Texas Fire Ant Control and Perimeter Pest Control in Houston

Don’t let fire ants and other pests take over your lawn! Contact Aggieland Green today for effective fire ant control and perimeter pest control solutions tailored to your lawn’s needs. Since 2008, we’ve been a top choice for lawn care services in College Station and Houston. In addition to pest control, we provide weed control and fertilization, lawn aeration, tree and shrub care, and mosquito control. Contact us today to get a free quote!