Fire ants can be a nuisance on your lawn in Texas, but identifying their mounds can be tricky. Fortunately, there are some tell-tale signs that can help you determine if you have fire ant mounds on your property. First, fire ant mounds don't have a center hole; instead, the ants make underground tunnels to leave and enter the mound. Second, these mounds often pop up after it rains, as these tiny pests take advantage of the soft ground to bolster their colonies. Third, the ants are instantly aggressive if the mound is disturbed.

Fire ant mounds don't have a center hole.

Fire ant mound on a lawn in Austin, TX.

Fire ant mounds are distinct from other ant mounds because they lack a center hole. Instead, fire ants create underground tunnels to enter and exit the mound. These mounds and tunnels are essential for their survival, as they provide protection from predators and extreme weather conditions. They create their mounds by pushing up the soil as they go deeper underground.

Another key indicator that the mounds on your lawn belong to fire ants is if they are on the smaller side. Fire ant mounds only reach a few inches tall compared to the higher mounds by regular ants. If you notice a mound like this on your lawn, it's important to take prompt action to eliminate the fire ants before they cause harm to you or your family.

Fire ant mounds often appear after it rains.

Fire ant mounds often appear after it rains because rainwater can flood their underground tunnels, forcing them to the surface. This is why you may notice an increase in fire ant activity on your lawn after a heavy rain. Don't fret—that doesn't mean the fire ant colony on your property is becoming worse. When the rain pours and water fills their tunnels, they make their way above ground to avoid drowning!

Fire ants tend to burrow deep underground during warm and dry conditions to nestle in a cooler environment where they are also protected from various elements. When it rains, the water can cause the collapse of their mounds. These pests will then move quickly after a downpour to rebuild their mounds and keep themselves safe from predators.

Fire ants are instantly aggressive if the mound is disturbed.

Fire ants are known for their aggressive behavior, and they will quickly swarm and attack anything that disturbs their mound. If you accidentally step on or disturb a fire ant mound, you may find yourself covered in painful bites within seconds. This is because fire ants are highly territorial and will defend their mound at all costs. If you notice fire ant mounds on your lawn, it's important to take action to eliminate them before they become a bigger problem.

Fire ants are known for their painful stings, which can cause severe allergic reactions in some people.

Call us today to schedule our fire ant control service.

If you're dealing with fire ants on your property, don't wait to take action. At Dr. Tex Lawn & Pest, we offer a fire ant control service to help protect your property from these pests. When you sign up for this service, our team will apply a fire ant control treatment once a year, which will provide long-lasting effects against these biting critters! If you continue to see signs of fire ants on your lawn, we will come back out to your property again to reapply the treatment at no additional cost.

We offer this service to commercial and residential property owners, along with HOAs, in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and nearby areas in Texas. Don't let fire ants take over your lawn - call us today at (512) 717-5071 to schedule our fire ant control service.