Fire ants love East Texas. Warm climate, plenty of moisture, soft soil — it’s perfect for them.

Here’s what makes them so hard to control: a single colony can contain 80,000 to 250,000 workers. They spread in two ways — budding, where part of the colony breaks off and forms a new mound nearby, and swarming, where winged reproductives fly out and start entirely new colonies. Mature colonies can produce thousands of swarmers with multiple mating flights between spring and fall.

Kill one mound today and you can have three more pop up next week if you’re not treating the whole yard properly.

How Fire Ant Stings Work (And Why They Hurt So Much)

Fire ants don’t bite — they sting, injecting venom through a stinger. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times.

The venom causes an immediate burning sensation — hence the name — followed by painful, itchy pustules that develop within 24 hours. Don’t pop them; it increases infection risk and slows healing.

For most people it’s just painful and miserable. But some people have severe allergic reactions — swelling beyond the sting site, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness, rapid heartbeat. That’s a medical emergency. People with known bee or wasp allergies are more likely to react to fire ant venom.

Even without allergies, disturbing a mound triggers a mass attack. Multiple simultaneous stings can cause nausea, dizziness, and chest pain. Kids, elderly people, and pets are especially vulnerable.

If you get stung:

• Move away from the mound immediately and brush ants off your skin — don’t crush them, it releases alarm pheromones that attract more ants
• Wash the sting area with soap and water
• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
• Watch for signs of allergic reaction — seek emergency care immediately if they occur
• Don’t pop the white pustules that form within 24 hours