How to get rid of fire ants and red ants

Updated: June 10, 2025

Red ants or fire ants, one thing’s the same: you want them gone. Here’s how to do it right.

Red ants and fire ants are often confused, but they’re not the same, and getting rid of them requires different strategies. Fire ants, especially red imported fire ants, are aggressive, swarm in large numbers, and deliver painful stings. Red ants, on the other hand, may be less threatening but can still be a nuisance indoors or in the yard.

Fire ant stings can cause serious allergic reactions in some people, which makes safe, effective control especially important around children, pets, or high-traffic outdoor areas. Whether you’re dealing with a fire ant mound in the yard or red ants making their way inside, this guide will walk you through the best ways to identify, treat, and prevent both types of infestations—safely and effectively.

Fire ants vs. red ants

At first glance, it’s easy to confuse fire ants with other red ant species, but being able to tell them apart is important. Fire ants are aggressive, territorial, and capable of delivering painful stings. Red ants may look similar, but most are less aggressive and don’t sting or bite in the same way.

So, how can you tell what you're looking at?

• Fire ants are usually reddish-brown with a darker abdomen, and they range from one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch in size. They often build large, dome-shaped mounds in open, sunny areas. If disturbed, fire ants swarm quickly and sting repeatedly, injecting venom that causes a burning sensation and, in some cases, serious allergic reactions.
• Red ants are a broader term used to describe various species, some of which are entirely harmless. They may resemble fire ants in color, but are typically less aggressive and less likely to sting. Still, they can invade kitchens, yards, or gardens, which makes them a frustrating pest in their own right. For more, see our guide to big red ants and how to identify them.

Accurate identification is key to choosing the right treatment. Fire ants often require more aggressive methods, like mound treatments or baits designed to target the entire colony, while red ants may respond to simpler indoor control strategies.

Fire ant treatments

Fire ants aren’t just a nuisance—they can be dangerous. Their stings are painful and can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals. Fire ants are also highly aggressive when their nests are disturbed, often swarming and stinging in large numbers. That’s why choosing the right fire ant treatment—and applying it safely—is critical.

There are a variety of methods for getting rid of fire ants, especially during their peak activity from late spring through early fall. Some people turn to DIY fire ant killers, including mound drenches, contact sprays, and fire ant bait that worker ants carry back to the colony. While these products may help reduce visible activity, they often fall short of eliminating the queen and stopping the colony long-term.

It’s also important to note that many fire ant products require careful handling. Some may contain strong insecticides that can be harmful if inhaled or if they come into contact with your skin or eyes. Always follow label directions exactly and store products out of reach of children and pets.

Professional fire ant treatment is strongly recommended for those with fire ant allergies or when dealing with widespread infestations. Pest control professionals have access to more targeted solutions and can apply them safely and effectively, often combining baiting, mound treatment, and barrier protection to control the ants at every level.

Fire ant bait

Fire ant bait is a commonly used treatment that targets the colony from the inside out. The bait is typically made of corn grits or another food-like material coated with a slow-acting insecticide. Worker ants collect the bait and carry it back to the nest, where it’s shared with the queen and other colony members. Depending on the active ingredient, the bait may either sterilize the queen or kill her outright, both of which eventually lead to colony collapse.

Bait is considered a low-impact treatment, since it’s applied in small amounts over a wide area and doesn’t require directly disturbing the mound. It can be an effective option when used correctly, especially as part of a broader fire ant control plan.

The downside? Baits work slowly, often taking several weeks or even months to fully eliminate a colony. If the bait acts too quickly, it may kill worker ants before they have a chance to deliver it to the queen, leaving the colony intact and able to rebuild. For best results, bait should be applied when ants are actively foraging, typically in warm weather and dry conditions.

Mound drench treatments

Mound drenches involve pouring a liquid pesticide directly onto a fire ant mound, allowing it to soak into the soil and kill ants underground within hours. These treatments can be fast-acting and effective for visible infestations, but they’re limited to the mounds you can see. Fire ants often build satellite colonies nearby, which means drenching alone may not eliminate the entire problem.

Other surface treatments include dusts, which leave a residue in voids ants travel through, and granular insecticides, which must be watered in to activate. Both methods require careful application and strict adherence to label directions. As with any pesticide, safety is key, especially when dealing with aggressive ants that bite and sting. And remember: never apply a liquid treatment on top of a baited area. Use one method per zone for best results.

Sprays and granular insecticides

Sprays and granular insecticides are commonly used to treat fire ants, particularly around the home. Sprays are applied directly to visible ants or along surfaces where ants may be foraging. Granules are scattered over the lawn or near mounds and then activated by water.

While these products can help reduce surface-level activity, they have limitations:

• Sprays provide fast knockdown of visible ants, but typically don’t reach the colony underground
• Granules must be watered in properly to activate, and may lose effectiveness if applied incorrectly
• Both treatments may only affect ants that come into direct contact with the product
• Neither method guarantees the elimination of the queen or deeper parts of the colony

Used alone, sprays and granules can offer short-term relief, but they’re often more effective when combined with broader fire ant management strategies.

Fire ant prevention

Preventing fire ants starts with making your yard and home less inviting. While no method is foolproof, small changes to your environment can go a long way in discouraging colonies from forming in the first place. Here are some effective prevention tips:

• Keep your yard well-maintained: Trim grass regularly and avoid letting mulch or leaves accumulate near the foundation.
• Remove food and water sources: Clean up pet food, spilled bird seed, and standing water in planters or buckets.
• Seal entry points into your home: Caulk cracks in your foundation, around doors, and near utility lines to limit access indoors.
• Store trash securely: Use tightly sealed garbage bins and clean up outdoor food waste promptly.
• Keep firewood and debris away from the home: Ants often nest in stacked wood, logs, or cluttered garden beds.

Even with a clean yard, fire ants can still move in, especially during warmer months. Over-the-counter products may help, but they’re often less effective than those used by professionals. For more tips on ant-proofing your home, visit our ant prevention guide.

Count on Terminix to help

If you’ve tried DIY products with little success—or are concerned about the safety of applying pesticides yourself—you’re not alone. Fire ant treatments can be tricky. Many over-the-counter solutions only offer short-term relief and may require frequent reapplication. Worse, they can be hazardous if misused around children, pets, or sensitive areas.

That’s why so many homeowners choose professional treatment. Terminix offers targeted fire ant control that’s not only more effective, but also more precise. Our trained technicians know how to safely apply products, monitor activity, and customize treatments for your property’s unique layout and risk level. We also offer eco-conscious solutions designed to minimize environmental impact while still delivering long-lasting results.

You don’t have to keep fighting fire ants on your own. Learn more about Terminix ant control and let us help you take back your yard—so you can enjoy it without worrying about painful stings or stubborn mounds.