Ants · Austin, Texas
Fire Ants
Reddish-brown to copper ants in mixed sizes, with a darker abdomen. The mound is loose, crumbly soil with no single center hole.
Quick answerMagic Pest & Lawn treats fire ants in Austin and 26 nearby towns as their own treatment, quoted before we start. Text a photo to 512-203-0525 for a quick quote.
Signs you have them
- New mounds pop up a day or two after rain
- A swarm of stinging ants pours out when a mound is disturbed
- Itchy white pustules a day after stings
- Ants clustered in AC units or electrical boxes
Why it matters
Each ant stings repeatedly. The stings form pustules and can cause serious allergic reactions. Colonies short out outdoor electrical equipment.
How we treat it
We treat the whole yard, not just the mounds you can see. A granular bait or insecticide broadcast reaches colonies that haven't built a visible mound yet, and we treat active mounds directly. Inside, we use a repellent treatment along entry points.
Good to knowQuarterly customers can add a yard granule that covers fire ants between visits. We also spot-treat fire ant mounds at no charge during any service visit.
Prevention
- Treat the whole yard in spring and fall rather than mound by mound
- Keep mulch pulled back from the foundation
- Don't dig into or flood mounds, which just moves the colony
Questions
Why do mounds come back after I treat them?+
Store-bought mound treatments kill the ants near the surface, and the queen moves the colony a few feet away. A yard-wide granular treatment reaches the whole colony.
When is the best time to treat?+
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November), when colonies are foraging hardest and take up bait fastest.
Where we treat fire ants
Season in Central Texas: Active Feb–Dec; peak Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov.
Magic Pest & Lawn serves Austin and 26 surrounding towns, including:
