I have a serious ant issue. Our hot, muggy climate and soft, sandy soil is heaven for almost any breed of ant. My backyard became a battleground for exterminating ants — ghost ants, sugar ants, and those dreaded biting red fire ants.
Ant problems are easy to spot. I’ve witnessed the largest ant mounds in my yard this year. The fire ants manage to bite my ankles every time I am gardening despite sneakers and socks.
Florida is seeing a dramatic increase in fire ant infestations because of a warmer and wetter summer in 2025. Red imported fire ants rank among the world’s most invasive and destructive species. In America.
The US Department of Agriculture figures that red fire ants cause $8.75 billion each year in economic damages. Ants chew on fruits, roots and stems, damaging crops. They swarm, harm and even kill newborn calves and stunt grazing. Their mounds damage mowers, balers, combines and other farm equipment, resulting in costly repairs and downtime.
My Fire Ant Nuisance
This is a typical fire ant mound in my yard this year. It’s almost one foot wide. I can treat this mound today with fire ant insecticide only to see a new ant hill appear a few feet away. It’s garden-style whack a mole.
I searched the internet for answers about the fire ant problem. I’ve learned that the main nest can be located under the lawn, house, or other structure. Satellite nests are established and fan out to establish almost an insect city underground.
Almost universally the advice pointed out that treating ants as a preventative measure will also impact large head, surface, and small ants in the environment. These other ant breeds often slow fire ant nests and they can be beneficial in support insect eating garden lizards and frogs.
Residential Solutions for Controlling Ants
Researching ways to eliminate fire ant colonies is discouraging. Our Agriculture Extension in Florida says that natural remedies are not effective treating large infestations. Instead they recommend a combination of professional and natural treatments at regular intervals to control them.
Natural Remedies
- Strong Smells
Vinegar and peppermint oils are supposed to help driveaway ants. This solution might work inside the house, but spraying vinegar in your lawn can damage the grass. - Boiling Water
Boiling water can be poured into the nest to kill ants on contact. The boiling water method is a good way to get rid of an entire colony of ants in one fell swoop. However, if the water cools off too much before it reaches the queen, it may not be effective. Professionals rate this procedure as 20-60% effective and requiring pouring three gallons of boiling water on each mound. - Introducing One Nest to Another
Ants generally don’t play well with each other and will fight to the death when co-mingled with other ants. Many gardners report success taking ants from one nest and putting them into another area with a rival insect population. The Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) states red imported fire ants are not territorial and won’t decline with this method. - Coffee Grounds
This is similar to the “strong smells” theory and I was advised to try it around the perimeter of my house by the pest control company. Ants don’t like the sharp edges of coffee grounds or the smell. Spreading fresh-brewed coffee grounds in the garden helps keep the ants away from the foundation and, as a bonus, it adds an acidic natural fertilizer to garden soil. However, it won’t eliminate any infestations.
Pesticides vs. Organic Solutions
All of these professional grade and retail treatments should be applied using gloves and face masks to prevent adverse effects to humans and pets. These treatments can and probably should be combined with natural applications of less toxic boric acid, diatomaceous earth, and baits for 100 percent pest elimination.
- Indoxacarb is a professional level treatment that causes nervous systems when ingested. It’s highly effective and usually only requires a single application annually to eliminate and prevent future nests.
- Hydramethylnon is found in common residential products like Amdro. This is generally a slow-acting deterent and less effective in treating active infestations.
- Pyrethroid is a powerful general insecticide that causes paralysis through the nervous system. It is effective treating most turf insects like cinch bugs, sod web worms, and ants.
Bring in the Professionals
A truly ugly infestation may require hiring professional help to get fire ant nests under control. Ants become inactive in the winter months and move deeper into their underground nests to survive cold temperatures. The southern US typically won’t get cold enough to kill off the colonies, and new mounds will most likely surface in the spring.