Fire Ants

What it looks like

Mounds of loose soil showing up in mulch beds or along the edges of turf. When disturbed, the ants respond fast and aggressively, and their sting is painful.

When it shows up in the Triangle

They're active year-round in our area, but you'll see the most mound-building activity during the warmer months.

Where you’ll see it

Shows up in landscape beds and along turf edges in home lawns.

What you can do

• Keep an eye out for fresh mounds in beds and along lawn edges
• Avoid disturbing a mound you plan to treat — this can scatter the colony instead of controlling it
• Be cautious around mounds, especially with kids or pets nearby
• Report new mounds early so they don't spread further into the yard