Fire Ant Control in Crockett, Grapeland & East Texas — Critter Gitters Pest Management
Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) have colonised virtually every open, disturbed, and maintained turf area in East Texas. In Houston County, fire ant mounds appear in lawns, pastures, gardens, playgrounds, athletic fields, and along roadsides within weeks of any ground disturbance. A single fire ant colony contains 200,000–500,000 workers. Multiple-queen (polygyne) colonies — common in East Texas — can house several queens and millions of workers sharing territory across an entire property.
James M
5 Star Google Review
I contacted Critter Gitters this morning to help me eradicate a huge wasp nest on the front of my house and around the eaves of my roof. They kindly came out a couple of hours later, killed all of the wasps, and sent me a picture of the nests. Now THAT’S service!!! Wouldn’t use anyone else!! Thanks Lane for your help and awesome service!
Thai Folta
5 Star Google Review
We have used Critter Gitters for years and wouldn’t think to go elsewhere. They are extremely detail oriented, down to the de-webbing of the whole exterior of our home. They are always extremely professional and punctual (which is a huge must for us). I couldn’t recommend a better company than Critter Gitters!
George Lee
5 Star Google Review
We have used Critter Gitters for years and wouldn’t think to go elsewhere. They are extremely detail oriented, down to the de-webbing of the whole exterior of our home. They are always extremely professional and punctual (which is a huge must for us). I couldn’t recommend a better company than Critter Gitters!
Joy Ione
5 Star Google Review
Joey Baker was highly recommended by the realtor who sold me my house. I saw what looked like termites, but Joey came right away and identified carpenter ants. I saved some dead ones in a zip lock bag for him to look at. He and his team treated the inside and outside of the house. It only took 2 treatments to get rid of the little critters. Don't do what I did. When they first started trailing out of the wall, I sprayed pesticide on them. Joey let me know to let them trail, otherwise they will go back in and make another colony.
Carol Dawson
5 Star Google Review
Critter Getters is always there when I need them!! They are prompt, competent and very reliable! You can certainly trust your staff at Critter Getters! They are the best!!
Wb Byrd
5 Star Google Review
Critter Gitters has provide great service for me for years. The local touch compares to no other. I’m grateful, and my children are as well, to be able to enjoy our backyard year round.
Greg Wassberg
5 Star Google Review
Whether one has bugs inside their home or outside, Critter Gitters offers the complete pest control services. Having mosquito issues outside, they have a service for that. Termite issues, they have a service for that too. Locally owned, and affordable. The technicians are also professional, safe, and understand that each homeowner has their own unique concerns.
Tyler Tabor
5 Star Google Review
We have been using Critter Gitters for years now and wouldn’t recommend anyone else! Joey is very professional yet personable and always has a smile on his face . He tries to make each service as easy as possible. If you’re looking for an amazing pest service experience…look no further!
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Fire Ant Control in Crockett, Grapeland & East Texas — Critter Gitters Pest Management
Fire ants do not just sting. They swarm rapidly when their mound is disturbed, delivering multiple stings simultaneously. Children, elderly individuals, and people with venom allergies are at serious medical risk. Livestock and pets can be killed by fire ant attacks when unable to escape a disturbed mound. Critter Gitters provides professional fire ant control throughout Houston County — including broadcast bait treatment for large lawns and pastures — under TPCL #13381.
Call 936-546-7493 or request a free estimate. We serve Crockett, Grapeland, Lovelady, Kennard, Latexo, and all of Houston County.
Why Fire Ants Are Nearly Impossible to Control With Store Products
Walk through any home improvement store in East Texas and you will find a wall of fire ant products. Most homeowners have tried multiple of them. Most have been disappointed. Here is why:
Mound drenches kill the visible mound — not the colony:
Pour-on products destroy the portion of the colony you can see. But the queen and a significant portion of workers are deeper in the soil, often 1–3 metres below the surface. The colony evacuates, relocates, and a new mound appears nearby within days.
Granular mound treatments require precise application:
Applied incorrectly or in the wrong weather conditions (too hot, too cold, rain forecast), they fail to reach the queen.
Individual mound treatment ignores the colony network:
Multiple-queen fire ant colonies share foragers and territory. Treating visible mounds ignores the connected network. The colony survives.
Broadcast bait timing is critical:
Over-the-counter broadcast baits often fail because they are applied at the wrong time of day or in wrong temperature conditions. Fire ants do not forage for bait when soil temperatures are above 90°F or below 60°F. Midday summer application — the most common time homeowners treat — fails because ants are not actively foraging.
Our Fire Ant Treatment Approach
Broadcast Bait Treatment
Broadcast bait is the single most effective fire ant treatment method for full-property coverage. We apply granular bait in early morning or evening when fire ants are actively foraging and soil temperatures are in the correct range. Workers collect the bait and carry it back to the queen — causing colony-wide elimination rather than just mound-by-mound control.
Broadcast bait provides 80–90% fire ant reduction across treated areas within 4–6 weeks. It is the recommended approach for lawns, pastures, and large properties where individual mound treatment is impractical.
Individual Mound Treatment
For rapid knockdown of specific high-risk mounds — near playgrounds, pet areas, or high-traffic pathways — we apply targeted contact insecticide directly to individual mounds. This provides fast control of immediate threat areas while broadcast bait works systemically across the property.
Combination Approach
Our standard fire ant programme combines broadcast bait for whole-property population reduction with targeted mound treatment for immediate risk areas. This two-method approach provides both fast and lasting control.
Fire Ant Coverage — Property Types We Treat
Residential lawns: Standard broadcast bait treatment up to 20,000 sq ft included in our Premium and Elite plans. Additional acreage available.
Pastures and agricultural land: Large-scale broadcast bait application available for properties from 1 to 100+ acres. Contact us for acreage-based pricing.
Commercial properties: Parking lots, medians, lawns, and grounds maintenance for businesses, schools, and facilities throughout Houston County.
School grounds and athletic fields: Fire ant control for school campuses and sports facilities, scheduled around occupancy and event calendars.
Fire Ant Health & Safety Risk in Houston County
Red imported fire ants pose documented medical and safety risks to Houston County residents:
- Anaphylaxis — fire ant venom causes anaphylactic shock in approximately 1% of sting victims. This is a potentially fatal reaction requiring immediate emergency medical intervention.
- Children — young children playing in yards cannot detect or escape a swarming mound quickly. Multiple sting attacks from fire ants are dangerous for small children.
- Elderly individuals — reduced mobility and thinner skin increase both sting severity and escape difficulty.
- Pets and livestock — domestic animals stung by fire ants in exposed, inescapable areas (kennels, pens) can receive fatal sting loads.
- Electrical equipment — fire ants are attracted to electrical fields and nest in utility boxes, HVAC equipment, and irrigation control systems — causing equipment failure.
Related Services
→ General Ant Control → — indoor ant species separate from fire ant programme
→ Mosquito Control → — add to plan and save 10%
→ Lawn Fertilization & Weed Control → — healthy turf suppresses fire ant re-colonisation
Serving All of Houston County, TX
We provide this service across every community in our Houston County service area:
→ Pest Control in Crockett, TX →
→ Pest Control in Grapeland, TX →
→ Pest Control in Lovelady, TX →
Frequently Asked Questions — Fire Ant Control in East Texas
Q: How soon after treatment will fire ant mounds disappear?
A: Broadcast bait treatment works in 4–6 weeks as the bait is carried to the queen. Mound activity declines progressively. Individual mound treatment with contact insecticide provides knockdown within 24–72 hours.
Q: Will fire ants come back after treatment?
A: East Texas has such a high environmental fire ant pressure that total, permanent elimination is not realistic. Re-colonisation from surrounding untreated land is ongoing. Our approach is to maintain suppression to safe, low-density levels year-round through periodic treatment — not to promise permanent eradication.
Q: Can you treat around my vegetable garden or near my chickens safely?
A: Yes. We select products appropriate for the specific treatment area. We use bait formulations with active ingredients that are safe for use near edible gardens and livestock at registered label rates. We will advise on any re-entry or harvest restrictions.
Q: I have fire ants inside my electrical panel. What do I do?
A: This is a common problem in East Texas and a genuine fire risk. Contact us immediately — we will treat the colony at the panel with an appropriately labelled product and advise on the best approach to prevent re-colonisation.
Q: Is broadcast bait safe for my pets and children?
A: Broadcast bait products are applied at very low rates (1–1.5 lbs per acre). The active ingredients in registered broadcast baits have extremely low mammalian toxicity. We will advise you on the appropriate re-entry period for your specific treatment.
Get Fire Ant Control in Houston County Today
Call 936-546-7493 or request your free estimate online. We provide broadcast fire ant treatment for lawns and large properties throughout Houston County — Crockett, Grapeland, Lovelady, Kennard, and Latexo.
process
Let’s Get Started
Connect & Schedule
Your protection starts with a simple conversation.
Our friendly customer service team listens to your concerns, answers questions, and helps schedule an inspection or service visit at your convenience.
Inspection & Diagnosis
We Identify the Source
Our certified technicians perform a detailed inspection of your property — inside and out. We identify pest types, entry points, and contributing conditions to determine exactly what’s happening and why.
Customized Treatment
Science-Based Targeted Solution
Using proven Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, we design a treatment plan tailored to your home, pest type, and environment. We use precision applications — not overuse — to ensure safe, effective, and lasting results.
Guaranteed Results
Professional Service Guaranteed
Our trained specialists apply targeted treatments using the latest tools and environmentally responsible products. We treat interior and exterior zones, eliminate nests and harborage areas, and establish a protective barrier around your home.
Certified Local Expertise
Family-Focused Service
Guaranteed Results
WHY CHOOSE US
Why Homeowners Across East Texas Trust Critter Gitters
Science-Based Solutions, Never Guesswork
Science-Based Solutions, Never Guesswork
Integrity-First Service, Always
Integrity-First Service, Always
We lead with honesty and reliability. At Critter Gitters, integrity means fair pricing, clear communication, and doing the job right the first time—every time.
Training That Exceeds Industry Standards
Training That Exceeds Industry Standards
Our technicians undergo continuous training that goes beyond industry requirements, ensuring every service is performed with expert knowledge, precision, and the latest pest control techniques.
Certified Expertise You Can Trust
Certified Expertise You Can Trust
Our team is fully licensed and certified, bringing proven expertise to every job. You can trust Critter Gitters for safe, professional, and effective pest control backed by years of experience.
Guaranteed Results — Or We’ll Make It Right
Guaranteed Results — Or We’ll Make It Right
Your satisfaction is our promise. If the covered pests come back, so will we – 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
About Us
Critter Gitters
Built on Experience, and a Promise to Protect
Family-owned and operated since 2006, Critter Gitters Pest Management has proudly served East Texas with trusted, science-based pest control solutions that protect homes, families, and peace of mind. Founded by Joey Baker, our company was built on the belief that true pest control starts with understanding the problem — not just treating the symptoms.
Experience the Critter Gitters Difference
When you choose Critter Gitters, you’re choosing more than a pest control company — you’re partnering with certified professionals dedicated to protecting your home, health, and comfort with integrity and care.
Our Expertise = Your Peace of Mind.
Our process begins with inspection and diagnosis, not quick fixes. By combining scientific precision, advanced training, and eco-conscious practices, we deliver results that last — not treatments that repeat.
, ACE
Owner & Founder
Packages
Bundle and Save 10% when you add Mosquito Duo Defense or Lawn & Ornamental to any package.
Package Includes
Essential Plan
Essential
Proven protection for everyday peace of mind.
Elite Plan
Elite
Complete coverage. Ultimate peace of mind.
Ants (Argentine, Rover & Odorous House)
Roaches (Peridomestic species)
Spiders, Millipedes, Centipedes, Crickets, Earwigs, Silverfish, Ground Beetles, Pill Bugs, and other occasional invaders
Interior and exterior treatments every 3 months
Targeted crack, crevice, and perimeter applications
Web and wasp nest removal up to 15 ft
Guaranteed re-service between visits if pests return
Rodent monitoring and exterior bait stations
Wasp nest removal up to 30 ft
Fire Ant treatment up to 20,000 sq ft
Full Sentricon® Termite Monitoring System
Carpenter Ant treatment
Additional Services
Need more than standard pest control? Our advanced services deliver customized protection for complex infestations, long-term prevention, and total peace of mind.
- Termite Inspections / WDO Real Estate Reports
- Carpenter Ants
- Fire Ants
- German Roach Clean-out
- Fleas & Ticks
- Rodent Trapping & Exclusion
- Arbor Jet Tree Injections
- Scorpion Plan
- Termite Treatments (Termidor and Sentricon)
- Bed Bugs
- Invasive Bees
- Mosquitoes
- Wildlife Trapping & Exclusion
- Lawn & Ornamental
Locations
Serving Families and Businesses
Throughout East Texas
Anderson County
Anderson County
Leon County
Leon County
Walker County
Walker County
Trinity County
Trinity County
Henderson County
Henderson County
Madison County
Madison County
Montgomery County
Montgomery CountyFAQ’s
Common Questions from Our Customers
What pests are covered in your Essential Plan?
Our Essential Plan covers the most common household pests, including ants, spiders, roaches, silverfish, and occasional rodents. This plan is designed to provide year-round protection for your home and prevent infestations before they become a problem.
How is the Premium Plan different from the Essential Plan?
The Premium Plan offers comprehensive protection beyond the Essential Plan, including coverage for termites and carpenter ant control. It’s the total defense solution for your home and property.
Do you offer termite control or inspections?
Yes! We provide full termite control and inspection services. Our experts use advanced detection methods and safe, effective treatments to protect your home from termite damage and prevent future infestations.
Are your treatments safe for my family and pets?
Absolutely! All our treatments are family- and pet-safe. We use environmentally friendly products and methods that effectively eliminate pests while keeping your loved ones and pets safe.
Can I combine mosquito or lawn services with my pest plan?
Yes! You can easily add mosquito or lawn care services to any of our pest control plans. This lets you enjoy complete protection for your home and yard, all in one convenient package.
What areas do you serve?
We proudly serve Houston County and surrounding areas, providing reliable pest control services to both residential and commercial properties. If you’re unsure whether we cover your location, just contact us — we’re happy to help!
