How to Get Rid of Fire Ants in Nebraska

Fire ants aren’t just a Southern problem anymore. Nebraska homeowners have started spotting these aggressive ants—most commonly the red imported fire ant—in lawns, gardens, and even playgrounds.

These invasive species are known for building massive fire ant mounds and delivering painful stings that can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Whether you’re trying to protect your pets, kids, or just enjoy your backyard without worrying about fire ant bites, here’s how to get rid of them in Nebraska using methods that actually work.

Key Takeaways

• Fire ants can rebuild quickly if the whole colony isn’t treated, which makes DIY control really tough.
• Fire ant bait works best because worker ants bring it back to the queen and spread it throughout.
• Mound drenches, hot water, and natural powders like diatomaceous earth offer help but need repeated use.
• Fire ant problems get worse if misidentified or untreated, so it’s smart to call a pro like Miller Pest & Termite.

Call a Professional Pest Control First

Before trying DIY fixes, it’s worth saying—fire ant control is tough to get right on your own. They don’t just build one mound and call it good. Fire ant colonies often consist of multiple individual mounds spread across the yard.

If you don’t eliminate the entire colony, they’ll just relocate and rebuild.

That’s why professional ant control is the smartest first step.

Use Fire Ant Bait to Target the Queen

For anyone asking how to get rid of fire ants effectively, fire ant bait is one of the most recommended approaches.

Brands in the market can attract worker ants, who carry the bait back to the mound, where it spreads through the colony. This slow-acting fire ant killer can reduce fire ant activity over time when used correctly.

Be sure to follow the instructions carefully—apply the bait when the ground is dry and avoid baiting right before rain, as moisture can ruin the granules.

Treat Individual Mounds with Mound Drenches

If you notice specific fire ant mounds near high-traffic areas or where kids play, mound treatments can help reduce the immediate risk. Mound drenches involve soaking each fire ant mound with a solution designed to penetrate deep and reach the queen.

You can make a simple drench using a gallon of water and certain labeled products like acephate, but keep in mind these treatments rarely eliminate the whole colony on their own. They’re best used alongside baiting.

Use Hot Water Carefully on Mounds

Pouring hot water directly onto a mound is a popular DIY method, but it comes with a few cautions.

While hot water (not boiling water, which can damage your grass) can kill fire ants in a visible mound, it rarely reaches the queens or satellite colonies. It can also be dangerous to handle, especially around pets or children.

If you go this route, you’ll need to treat several mounds and may still need follow-up treatments for full control.

Consider Diatomaceous Earth for Light Ant Activity

If you're looking for a more natural option, diatomaceous earth is commonly used to kill fire ants and other ant species. It's especially useful for low-level ant infestations or in areas where you’d prefer not to use stronger products.

Keep in mind that it must stay dry to remain effective, and it works more slowly than other methods.

Don’t Feed the Problem

One of the simplest control methods is also one of the most overlooked—cutting off food sources.

Fire ants are scavengers and will take advantage of trash, leftover pet food, or honeydew produced by aphids. Keep your yard clean and trim back vegetation where ants are active.

Reducing aphid populations can also help, as these pests attract ants with their sweet secretions.

Know Your Enemy

Before going all-in on treatment, make sure you’re actually dealing with fire ants. Nebraska has several types of ants, including carpenter ants and harvester ants, which also build ant hills but require different treatment strategies.

Fire ant mounds tend to be dome-shaped, with no clear entrance hole, and they usually pop up in sunny, open areas. A misidentification can waste time and money, so if you’re unsure, reach out to a professional.

Get Fire Ant Control That Works

Ignoring fire ant infestations allows them to multiply and establish more colonies, leading to bigger problems down the road. As invasive species, they can cause serious harm to your home, pets, and family.

At Miller Pest & Termite, we use proven control methods that go below the surface, reaching the queens and eliminating the nest entirely. We also help reduce the ant population by identifying conducive conditions and removing access to food sources.

Our team knows how to treat Nebraska lawns specifically, and we have decades of experience handling pest control for everything from ants to termites.

Contact us today and let us take care of your fire ant problem for good.