High Priority

Fire Ants in Southwest Florida

Red imported fire ants are an aggressive invasive species that arrived in the U.S. in the 1930s and have dominated Southwest Florida lawns ever since. Their mounds appear overnight after rain, and a single disturbed colony can sting dozens of times in seconds.

Peak activity: Year-round in SW Florida

(239) 317-5326

How to Identify Fire Ants

Look for these specific characteristics before treatment.

Dome-shaped mounds with no visible entrance hole on top
Reddish-brown workers ranging from 1/16 to 1/4 inch
Boiling swarm reaction when mound is disturbed
Multiple mounds in yards, near foundations, and in landscaping
Painful burning sting that leaves white pustules after 24 hours

Fire Ants

Red Imported Fire Ant

High Priority

Not sure what you are seeing? Call us and describe the bug.

(239) 317-5326

Why Fire Ants Are a Problem

Fire ant stings can trigger severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals, which can be fatal without immediate medical attention. People with known insect-venom allergies are at highest risk. Fire ants also damage landscaping, undermine driveways, and short out electrical equipment.

How We Treat Fire Ants

Two-step treatment: broadcast bait across the yard to reduce overall colony density, followed by direct mound treatment with contact insecticide. We re-inspect 30 days later and retreat any surviving mounds at no charge.

Every treatment plan is tailored to your property and pest pressure. Jason does a full assessment before recommending an approach.

Ready to eliminate fire ants?

Call now for a free assessment, or request a callback and Jason will reach out within 2 hours.

(239) 317-5326

Fire Ants Treatment Across Southwest Florida

We serve homeowners throughout Lee and Collier counties.

Fort Myers

Lee County

Cape Coral

Lee County

Naples

Collier County

Bonita Springs

Lee County

Estero

Lee County

Lehigh Acres

Lee County

North Fort Myers

Lee County

Fort Myers Beach

Lee County

Sanibel

Lee County

Captiva

Lee County

Fire Ants Questions, Answered

Poke the mound with a stick and step back quickly. An active mound will boil with workers within seconds, and they will swarm the stick. Inactive mounds show no movement. After rain, fire ants often rebuild mounds and may move them, so an area that was mound-free can have active colonies within 24 hours.

Boiling water eliminates fire ant mounds only about 60% of the time even when applied correctly, and rarely reaches the queen in her deeper chambers. Fire ant colonies can extend 5 feet or more underground. You may kill surface workers, but the queen and her brood survive and rebuild within days.

Yes, pets are at real risk, especially puppies and kittens who cannot move away from a disturbed mound fast enough. Fire ant stings on pets cause the same burning reaction as on humans. Animals with insect-venom sensitivities can develop severe reactions. Keep pets away from untreated mounds.

Our two-step treatment reduces yard populations by 80 to 90% after the first application. We re-inspect at 30 days and treat any surviving mounds at no charge. Fire ants in Southwest Florida are year-round pests, so most homeowners benefit from quarterly prevention to keep mounds from returning.

Pest Profile