Fire Ants After Heavy Rain
Short answer: fire ants move up when the soil floods, so new mounds appear overnight after heavy rain. Bait the whole yard when the ground is dry and treat mounds near play areas directly.
Request pest controlWhy rain brings mounds
Colonies rebuild above the waterline when soil is saturated.
Floating rafts
In floods, fire ants link together and float, landing on debris, porches and boats.
Bait when dry
Baits work best on dry ground when ants are actively foraging.
Mound treatments
Treat mounds near walkways, swing sets and gardens for quick relief.
Don't disturb
Kicking or flooding a mound just moves the colony.
Stings
Wash stings with soap and water; get medical help for severe allergic reactions.
Pets
Keep pets away from mounds and treated areas until the label says it's safe.
Electrical boxes
Fire ants nest in AC units and utility boxes; a technician can treat them safely.
Yard-wide programs
Twice-yearly yard treatments keep fire ant numbers down.
Neighbors
Colonies drift in from next door, so expect some return activity.
Lawn care
Healthy, thick turf makes it harder for new colonies to settle. Mowing doesn't kill a colony but does show where mounds are.
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