Fire Ants
What Are Fire Ants?
Fire ants are aggressive, stinging insects (genus Solenopsis) that build mounded nests in soil. They’re attracted to sunny, open areas and will swarm and sting anything that disturbs their colony.
Common Fire Ant Species in Texas
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Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta)
— Brick-red workers, aggressive stingers; builds prominent mounds. -
Black Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis richteri)
— Dark brown to black; similar behavior but less widespread. -
Hybrid Fire Ants
— Cross between red and black species; often more resilient and aggressive.
Fire Ant Life Cycle
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Eggs hatch into larvae within the colony.
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Larvae develop into pupae, then emerge as adult workers or reproductives (winged males & queens).
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Winged alates swarm after rains to mate; new queens establish fresh colonies.
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A mature colony can contain 100,000+ workers and multiple queens.
How Fire Ants Impact Your Home & Health
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Painful Stings: Multiple workers will bite and sting in succession, causing red pustules and itching.
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Landscape Damage: Mounds can interfere with lawn equipment, undermine sidewalks, and erode soil.
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Pet & Livestock Risk: Stings can injure animals and disrupt grazing areas.
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Electrical Hazards: Workers may nest inside electrical boxes, causing shorts and equipment damage.
Warning Signs of Infestation
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Visible Mounds: Dome-shaped soil piles (up to 18″ across) in lawns, flower beds or playgrounds.
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Foraging Trails: Lines of ants moving to food sources, often radiating from a central nest.
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Aggressive Behavior: Ants rapidly swarm when mounds are disturbed—be cautious around children and pets.
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Satellite Mounds: Smaller “rinse-out” nests established when the main colony becomes overcrowded.
Prevention Tips
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Keep Grass Short: Regular mowing prevents ideal mound-building conditions.
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Remove Debris: Clear yard clutter, wood/rock piles and standing water.
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Seal Cracks & Crevices: Caulk gaps around foundations, driveways and patio edges.
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Limit Food Sources: Secure pet food, birdseed and trash cans to reduce foraging.
Treatment Options
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Bait Treatments: Broadcast granular baits that workers carry back to the colony, killing queen and workers.
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Mound-Injection Products: Directly apply liquid or dust insecticides into active mounds for rapid knockdown.
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Broadcast Insecticides: Treat the entire lawn perimeter to prevent new mound formation.
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Follow-Up Inspections: Re-treat satellite mounds and monitor for reinfestation.
Why Fire Ant Control Matters
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Painful Stings - Fire ant bites can cause allergic reactions and painful pustules.
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Property Damage - Mounds next to foundations, irrigation lines, or walkways can undermine your home and yard.
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Rapid Spread - A single queen and colony can produce thousands of workers in weeks.
Our Fire Ant Treatment Process
Detailed Inspection
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We locate all active mounds in the front yard, back yard, and perimeter.
Customized Treatment Plan
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You’ll get a proposal outlining exactly which methods we recommend.
Precision Application
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Our techs treat directly into each mound for maximum kill.
Follow-Up Check
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We revisit after 7-14 days to ensure colony elimination, and retreat if needed.
Why Choose Deep Six Pest Control?
Locally Owned & Operated
Fast & Friendly Service
Family & Pet Friendly Treatments
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Our Mission Statement
At Deep Six Pest, we are committed to transforming the pest control industry through unmatched customer service and unwavering honesty. We believe in building trust by delivering transparent, effective solutions tailored to each customer’s needs, ensuring a pest-free environment while exceeding expectations. Our mission is to disrupt the industry by setting a new standard for excellence, integrity, and customer care in every interaction.