Fire Ant Season Isn’t Over: Why Early Fall is Prime Time for Control

Jeff Overstreet
Aug 15
3 min read

In Texas, fire ants aren’t just a spring problem. They have two peak seasons—once in early spring (April through July) and again in early fall, typically from late September into October.

Both peaks line up with ideal soil temperatures, usually between 70°F and 85°F. At these temperatures, ants are active near the surface, foraging heavily, and easy to target with the right treatment.

Early fall often surprises homeowners who thought they’d “made it through” ant season. In reality, this is one of the best times to act—because treating now can prevent a major rebound next spring.

Why Fire Ants Are More Active Now

During hot summer months, fire ants burrow deeper into the soil to escape extreme heat and dry conditions. When cooler fall weather arrives and the soil stays warm but not scorching, they return closer to the surface.

This shift changes their behavior in a few important ways:

Increased foraging: Worker ants leave the mound more often to gather food for the colony.
Shallower nests: The queen and brood move closer to the surface, making treatments more effective.
Colony expansion: Ants actively build or repair mounds after summer rains.

Because they’re busy stocking up for winter, bait applied now is more likely to be carried deep into the colony and shared with the queen.

How to Identify a Fire Ant Mound

Fire ant mounds are distinctive once you know what to look for:

Dome-shaped, without a central hole: Unlike other ant species, fire ants keep entrances hidden in tunnels beneath the mound.
Fresh soil after rain: Mounds often appear or grow after storms as ants repair their nests.
Aggressive swarming: Disturbing a mound will send hundreds of worker ants to the surface within seconds. Their sting is painful and can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Mounds can vary in size, from a few inches tall to more than a foot, depending on the age and size of the colony.

Why Fall Treatment Works

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and other experts agree: spring and fall are the most effective seasons for fire ant control. Here’s why early fall is so strategic:

Peak foraging means faster bait uptake: Ants are actively collecting food, so they find and carry bait quickly.
Colonies are accessible: Nests are closer to the surface compared to summer, so both bait and contact treatments work better.
Seasonal reset: Eliminating colonies now reduces the population before winter, preventing a spring surge.
Weather stability: Fall weather is often more predictable, making it easier to time applications on dry days.

Prevention and Control Tips

Effective fire ant management is about combining prevention with targeted treatments. Here’s what works best:

Inspect your yard regularly. Walk the property after rain and look for fresh mounds, especially in sunny areas where the soil warms quickly.
Use the two-step method. First, apply a broadcast bait over your lawn to target hidden and visible colonies. Then, treat any active mounds directly after a few days.
Choose the right conditions. Apply bait on dry days when ants are actively foraging—usually in the morning or late afternoon. Avoid windy conditions and rain within 24 hours.
Reduce attractants. Keep pet food indoors, manage compost piles, and clear fallen fruit or other potential food sources from your yard.
Avoid unproven home remedies. Methods like grits, citrus peels, or boiling water are rarely effective and can cause additional problems.

How Bug Zone Can Help

Fire ant control requires more than just killing visible mounds. Our technicians:

Identify active colonies, even those not yet visible on the surface.
Apply proven treatments at the right time for maximum effectiveness.
Develop a seasonal plan to keep fire ant numbers low year-round.

We use professional-grade baits and targeted treatments that reach deep into the colony, where the queen lives—ensuring long-term control.

Schedule Your Fall Fire Ant Service

Early fall is your second—and often best—opportunity to control fire ants before they go deep for the winter. Treating now protects your yard, pets, and family from painful stings and reduces next year’s population.

Call Bug Zone at (972) 867-9800 or email office@bugzonepest.com to schedule your fire ant inspection and treatment. Act before they settle in for the season, and you’ll feel the difference come spring.