Why Are Fire Ants Such a Problem in July?

Why Fire Ants Thrive in Shreveport Summers

Fire ants love the heat, and Louisiana summers provide the perfect conditions for them to thrive. These ants prefer to build their nests in sunny areas of your lawn, especially in moist soil. While they don’t like it too dry, they also don’t fare well in waterlogged ground. That’s why it’s common to see mounds pop up after a summer rainstorm; if a previous mound collapsed due to too much water, the colony will simply rebuild in a nearby location.

On top of that, July’s hot and humid conditions create ideal breeding weather. Fire ant colonies often have multiple queens, which means their populations can grow quickly and aggressively throughout the summer months.

What Makes Fire Ants So Concerning

With July being peak fire ant season, it’s important to understand why these pests are more than just a nuisance. The biggest issues with fire ants are their painful stings and their tendency to attack in large numbers. If you accidentally disturb a mound, you won’t just get stung by one ant. Instead, you could find yourself swarmed by dozens or even hundreds, all trying to protect their nest.

A single sting is painful, but a full-on attack can be especially uncomfortable. While most healthy adults recover quickly, children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of experiencing serious symptoms or complications.

Fire ants also pose a threat to property. Their mounds can damage lawns and landscaping, and they’re known to nest inside electrical equipment. If conditions outside become too hot, too wet, or otherwise unfavorable, they may seek shelter indoors, and that’s where even more damage can occur.

How to Spot a Fire Ant Infestation

Not sure if fire ants have moved into your yard? Their mounds are pretty distinctive. They’re usually dome-shaped, located in open, sunny areas, and can grow quite large, up to two feet wide and over a foot tall. Grass may grow on the mound, but what really sets it apart is the lack of a single visible entrance. Instead of one big opening, you’ll find lots of tiny exit holes scattered around the base.

Other signs to watch for include:

• Ant trails along driveways, sidewalks, or foundation walls
• Actual sightings of fire ants moving in and out of the mound
• Stings on you, your kids, or your pets

Common DIY Mistakes (and Why They Often Backfire)

When fire ants show up, it’s tempting to try to handle the problem yourself. DIY methods seem like a quick, inexpensive fix—and let’s face it, ants don’t look all that threatening. Unfortunately, DIY fire ant control is rarely effective and can often make the problem worse.

Many natural remedies you’ll find online might seem to work at first, but in reality, they often drive the ants deeper underground. Once the coast is clear, they resurface—sometimes in even greater numbers.

Worse still, disturbing a colony can cause it to split. Fire ants are known for something called “budding,” where part of the colony—including a queen—breaks off to form a new nest elsewhere on your property. What started as one mound could quickly turn into several.

Even over-the-counter ant treatments don’t typically get to the root of the issue. If you don’t eliminate the queen (or queens), the colony survives. Most DIY products just don’t penetrate deep enough to do the job completely.

Anti-Pest’s Fire Ant Control

At Anti-Pest, we know how common fire ant problems are in Shreveport, Bossier City, and throughout Northwest Louisiana—and we believe protecting your family from them shouldn't cost extra. That’s why fire ant control is included in our home pest control services. We treat up to 50 feet from your home to eliminate active mounds and help prevent future infestations.

Don’t let fire ants take over your yard this summer. With Anti-Pest’s proven treatments and friendly, local service, you can enjoy your outdoor spaces again, sting-free.

Contact us today and reclaim your yard from fire ants!