How Can You Identify Fire Ant Mounds?

Fire ants are a nuisance and can pose a threat to you and your family. Because of this, you need to know how to identify their mounds so you can spot them easily in your yard in Georgia and take the necessary steps to eliminate them immediately. Fortunately, fire ant mounds are easy to spot once you know what to look for.

Fire ant mounds do not have a center hole, as the ants make underground tunnels to leave and enter the mound. Additionally, you'll notice that these mounds tend to pop up after it rains when the soil is softer and easier for them to manage. Lastly, you can identify them by disturbing the mound and observing how the ants react. If they become instantly aggressive, then you're likely dealing with fire ants!

Fire ant mounds don't have a center hole.

One of the most obvious characteristics of fire ant mounds is that they don't have a center hole. Unlike other ant mounds, which usually have a hole in the middle, fire ant mounds are solid and dome-shaped. This is because fire ants make underground tunnels to leave and enter the mound. These tunnels are usually located at the base of the mound, so you won't see any openings on the surface. They make the entrances to their tunnels underground to make it harder for their predators to spot them. If you see a mound on your property with no visible hole at the top, there's a good chance it's a fire ant mound.

Fire ant mounds tend to pop up after it rains.

Another way to identify fire ant mounds is by observing when they appear. Fire ant mounds tend to pop up after it rains. This is because the rain softens the soil, making it easier for the ants to dig tunnels and build or repair their mounds. New mounds also typically appear in open areas that will receive lots of sun, like your lawn and along your landscape beds! If you notice new mounds appearing on your property after a rainstorm, there's a good chance they belong to fire ants.

Fire ants become instantly aggressive if their mound is disturbed.

If you're still not sure if you're dealing with fire ants, there's one surefire way to find out: to disturb the mound and observe the ants' reaction. Fire ants are known for their aggressive behavior and will become instantly aggressive if their mound is disturbed. They will swarm out of the mound and attack anything in their path to protect and defend their home from any threat. If you disturb a mound and see a swarm of ants coming out, there's a good chance you're dealing with fire ants. However, this is not a recommended method of identifying fire ant mounds, as it can be dangerous. If you suspect you have a fire ant problem, it's best to contact a professional pest control service to handle the situation.

Call us today to schedule our fire ant control service!

Fire ants are tough to control because they are persistent and can be harmful when not managed properly. At Solid Green Lawn & Landscape, we offer a fire ant control service that will ensure your property is protected from these biting critters! This service involves applying a granular treatment on your lawn in January or February to get ahead of fire ants, preventing them from ever establishing a colony on your property. The treatment we use releases slowly, providing lasting protection. However, if you see fire ant mounds popping up on your turf even after the application, we'll return to bait them for free.

We offer our fire ant control service to residential and commercial property owners, as well as HOAs, in Bethlehem, Monroe, Winder, Statham, Hoschton, and neighboring areas in Northeast Georgia. Give us a call at (770) 380-2009 to schedule our fire ant control service today!