Fire Ant Season in North Texas: When to Bait, When to Treat Mounds
By the Weatherford PestClear editorial team. Sources are listed at the end.
Fire ant season in North Texas runs from spring through fall. Start baiting when the soil warms to about 70°F, usually in spring, and repeat in early fall. Texas A&M AgriLife recommends a two-step method: broadcast bait twice a year, then treat the mounds near homes and play areas. A yard treatment in the Fort Worth area typically costs $100 to $250 and repeats every 6 to 12 months.
What the data says
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foraging temperature | Fire ants start foraging in earnest when soil reaches about 70°F | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension |
| Recommended method | Two steps: semi-annual broadcast bait, then treat individual mounds or nuisance colonies | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension |
| Texas economic impact | About $1.2 billion a year | Texas A&M AgriLife, as reported by Texas Farm Bureau |
| Urban control spending (1998-99 study) | Over $581 million a year across five Texas metroplexes; $526 million of it by households | Texas A&M Agricultural Economics |
| Fort Worth metroplex share | $74.9 million a year in that study | Texas A&M Agricultural Economics |
| Typical yard treatment, Fort Worth area | $100 to $250, repeated every 6 to 12 months | FortWorthTX.org cost guide |
The 1998-99 figures are old, so today’s real costs are higher. They still show how large the household burden is: households accounted for most of the spending.
Why soil temperature decides the calendar
Fire ants forage for food when the soil is warm enough, and bait only works when workers pick it up and carry it back to the colony. Bait applied too early or in cold soil sits unused and loses effectiveness. AgriLife urban entomologist Mike Merchant notes that spring is a good time to begin control because ants are searching for food and building mounds that are easier to find.
The two-step method
| Step | What it does | How fast | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Broadcast bait over the whole yard | Workers carry bait to the queen and the colony declines | One to several weeks | Whole-yard control |
| 2. Individual mound treatment | Targets visible mounds directly | Hours to days | Mounds near doors, patios, play areas and pets |
Baits also save you from hunting down every colony, which matters on large lots and pasture edges. When using a liquid or granular mound treatment yourself, AgriLife advises watering it in with one to two gallons of water per mound.
A North Texas fire ant calendar
| Season | Typical action |
|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | First broadcast bait once soil reaches about 70°F; treat mounds near the house |
| Summer (June to August) | Spot-treat problem mounds; in hot weather apply bait in the evening when ants forage |
| Fall (September to November) | Second broadcast bait before winter |
| Winter (December to February) | Colonies are less active; treat only problem mounds |
Timing depends on weather. A wet spring with fresh mounds is a good moment to act.
A quick foraging test
A common Extension tip is to put a small piece of greasy food, such as a bit of hot dog, near a mound. If ants find it within 30 to 60 minutes, they are foraging and bait will be picked up.
What makes fire ants worse around Weatherford
- Dry spells: AgriLife notes fire ants may chew irrigation tubing when conditions are dry.
- Horse and ranch property: paddocks, hay storage and pasture edges host colonies that re-infest nearby yards.
- Neighbors: an untreated lot next door will send colonies back.
- Electrical equipment: fire ants are known to damage electrical boxes and AC units.
Mistakes that waste money
- Treating a single mound and ignoring the rest of the yard.
- Applying bait before rain or on wet grass, or watering right after.
- Using old or opened bait; bait spoils, so keep it sealed and check the label.
- Pouring gasoline or bleach on mounds, which rarely kills the whole colony.
- Stopping after one treatment and not repeating in fall.
What it costs
| Service | Typical range (Fort Worth area) |
|---|---|
| Yard-wide fire ant treatment | $100 to $250 |
| Repeat | Every 6 to 12 months |
Price depends on lot size, how many mounds are active, and whether you need bait, mound treatment or both.
Safety
Fire ant stings burn and form a white pustule within about a day. Wash the area, use a cold compress and avoid popping the pustules. Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or widespread hives. Keep pets off treated areas until the product dries and follow label re-entry times. Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) can answer product exposure questions.
Need help in Weatherford?
See our page on fire ant control in Weatherford or call (817) 555-0199 for a free inspection.