Red Imported Fire Ant Control in Boerne, TX
In Boerne, fire ants usually make themselves known in two ways: low mounds of fluffy, freshly worked soil that seem to appear overnight after a hard rain, and a burning sting that turns into a white blister a day or so later. The right first move is not to kick, flood or pour anything on the mound, but to keep kids and pets clear and plan a treatment that reaches the whole colony. Call or text (210) 281-1064, or book online, if mounds are near the house, in the AC unit or around someone allergic.
Fire ant, or a native ant? #
Texas A&M AgriLife lists three native fire ants in Texas that are less aggressive than the imported species. Clues that you have red imported fire ants:
- workers of mixed sizes in the same mound, reddish brown and ranging from 1/16 up to 3/16 inch
- ants that boil out and run straight up a stick or your boot when disturbed, which few native ants do
- a mound of loose, crumbly soil with no opening in the middle, easiest to see after heavy rain
A single colony averages 100,000 to 500,000 workers, and areas with single-queen colonies can hold 40 to 150 mounds per acre, according to the AgriLife Fire Ant Project. The fire ant guide covers the biology.
After the water rises: fire ants and Boerne flooding #
The town knows high water. City emergency pages warn about Hill Country flash floods and the low-water crossings around town, and the mayor issued a disaster declaration over storms and flooding on July 15, 2026 (City of Boerne). Fire ants respond to that kind of weather. The Fire Ant Project notes that whole colonies may move indoors during floods, and that foragers come inside for food and water during hot, dry summer spells (AgriLife Fire Ant Project).
After a big storm, walk the foundation, garage edge and AC pad; fresh mounds against the slab are your cue to act.
The soil, sod and hay quarantine #
Kendall County appears, with Bexar, Comal and several neighbors, on the fire ant quarantine map published by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). It matters if you plan to ship soil, sod, rooted plants with soil, hay or straw that sat on the ground, or used earth-moving equipment out of the quarantined area. Those moves need a certificate or permit.
Bait timing for the Hill Country #
- AgriLife's Two-Step method pairs a yard-wide bait with treating only the mounds that cause trouble.
- Fire ants forage when the soil surface is roughly 70 to 90 degrees. AgriLife's leaflet says May through September is usually the window for most of Texas, and bait in the evening when midday soil runs hotter than 90 degrees.
- The Fire Ant Project's Two-Step page suggests a late August to mid-October broadcast.
- Bait only on dry grass with no rain expected for a day or two, use fresh bait, and do not water it in. Expect weeks to months, not days, to see 80 to 90% control.
When is a sting more than a sting? #
Workers grip with their jaws and sting repeatedly. AgriLife says expect burning, itching and a white pustule within a day or two that can last a week or more and may scar if infected. Brush ants off fast. Chest pain, nausea, heavy sweating, trouble breathing, major swelling or slurred speech after stings mean a trip for medical care right away. People who react strongly should talk with an allergist.
Skip the grits and gasoline #
- Home remedies: grits, molasses, coffee grounds, cinnamon, club soda and baking soda all came up short in AgriLife's review.
- Hot water: roughly three gallons poured on a mound kills about 60% of them, and scalds any plant it touches.
- Electrical boxes and AC units: never spray or drench inside them. Shut off the power and leave it to an electrician or licensed pest professional.
How Pest Trappers handles fire ants in Boerne #
A technician inspects the property, checking the foundation line, the AC unit, meter and electrical boxes and play areas, and asks who in the home reacts to stings, since AgriLife notes the Two-Step approach may not suit a highly allergic household. They explain the options for fire ant control around the home and follow every label rule. Pricing comes after the inspection, and the office confirms your time. Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549) is a family-owned company. Our Boerne page lists other local pests, including scorpion control.