7 Things You’re Doing That Make the Yard a Fire Ant Target

If you’ve ever stepped into a fire ant mound barefoot, you already know the kind of pain they bring. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that certain yard habits actually invite them in. Fire ants are aggressive, fast to spread, and hard to get rid of once they’re settled. And while some areas are naturally prone to them, your yard might be more appealing than it needs to be.

If you’re dealing with fire ants—or hoping to avoid them altogether—these are the habits worth fixing first.

Leaving Pet Food or Birdseed Outside

Fire ants are always on the lookout for protein and sugar, and that bowl of dog food or scattered birdseed is exactly what they want. Even a few crumbs can attract a trail that leads straight to the source.

If you feed animals outside, clean up right after. Store food in sealed containers and avoid leaving dishes or trays out overnight. Once fire ants find a food source, they don’t forget it—and they’ll keep coming back for more.

Overwatering Parts of the Yard

Fire ants love warm, moist soil. When you overwater, especially in one area, it softens the ground and gives them perfect conditions to tunnel and build. It also drives other insects to the surface, giving them more food.

Stick to deep, infrequent watering and pay attention to drainage. If you’ve got areas that stay damp long after the rest of the yard dries out, it’s worth regrading or fixing the irrigation. Dry soil is less welcoming, and it’s easier to treat if needed.

Ignoring Mounds in the Early Stages

Those little dirt mounds might not look like much at first, but ignoring them gives the colony time to grow—and spread. By the time they’re big and hard to miss, you’re already dealing with thousands of aggressive ants.

Check your yard regularly and treat small mounds early. There are plenty of baits and treatments that work best when the colony is still young. The longer you wait, the harder it is to kick them out.

Letting Debris Pile Up

Branches, boards, bags of mulch—any clutter that sits in the same spot for a while creates shade and holds moisture. That’s exactly the kind of cover fire ants love to build under, especially when it doesn’t get disturbed often.

Keep your yard picked up and organized. If something’s been sitting untouched for weeks, flip it over and check underneath. Fire ants build fast, and they’re drawn to any spot that offers protection and stays warm.

Leaving Dead Trees or Stumps Untouched

Old stumps and decaying wood attract a lot of insects—and that includes fire ants. Once they move in, they’ll tunnel deep into the wood or set up camp around the roots. You might not even notice until they’ve spread into the lawn.

If you’ve got a dead tree, rotting stump, or big pile of cut wood, it’s worth removing it or treating it. These are hotspots for all kinds of pests, and fire ants are usually not far behind.

Storing Mulch or Soil Bags Directly on the Ground

Bags of mulch, compost, or soil that sit directly on the ground trap heat and moisture underneath. It doesn’t take long for fire ants to move in, especially if the bags haven’t been opened or moved in a while.

Use pallets or pavers to lift those bags up and keep airflow underneath. Even better, don’t store anything you won’t be using soon. If ants are already underneath, moving the bag will usually reveal the problem quickly.

Skipping Regular Perimeter Checks

Fire ants often start at the edges—fence lines, garden borders, behind sheds—and move inward from there. If you’re not regularly checking those out-of-sight spots, they can establish a foothold before you even notice.

Walk the perimeter once a week, especially after rain. Look for fresh dirt mounds, shifting soil, or tiny ants trailing in and out. Early detection is key, and those quiet corners are usually where they show up first.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.