Ants (including Fire Ants)

What it looks like

Mounds of loose, fluffy soil, often dome-shaped, show up in the lawn and get more noticeable after rain. Fire ants react fast and aggressively with painful stings if the mound is disturbed, which is the easiest way to tell them apart from other, more harmless ants in the yard.

Often mistaken for: Other nuisance ant species (tell by the aggressive sting response)

When it shows up in the Triangle

Mounds are most active in spring and fall when temperatures are mild, and that's also when you'll see winged ants flying to start new colonies.

Where you’ll see it

Shows up in home lawns.

What you can do

• Keep an eye out for fresh mounds, especially after rain
• Avoid disturbing mounds directly — fire ants respond quickly and aggressively
• Know that no amount of mowing, watering, or other lawn care will fully get rid of fire ants in our area
• Decide if you're comfortable with occasional mounds or want them actively managed, since that affects the best approach