Fire Ants in Hampton Roads: How to Protect Your Family and Yard This Summer

​​You step outside to grab something from the car, and your kid is suddenly crying in the yard. By the time you get to them, they have already been stung four or five times on the ankles and feet. That is how fast fire ants work. There is no warning. You do not even realize you are standing on a mound until they are already swarming.

At Getem Services, we have been helping Hampton Roads homeowners deal with fire ants since 1922. Our technicians handle fire ant calls every spring and summer in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and across Hampton Roads and the Tidewater region. As soon as the weather warms up, the mounds start appearing — and once fire ants settle into a yard, they do not leave on their own.

If you have been dealing with fire ant mounds or you just want your family to enjoy the yard this summer without worrying about stings, here is what you should know.

Why Fire Ants Are Different From Other Ants

Most ants around Hampton Roads are a nuisance. They get into kitchens, trail along baseboards, and are more annoying than anything else. Fire ants are a completely different problem.

Red imported fire ants are aggressive. They do not scatter when you disturb them — they attack. And they do not bite. They sting. Each ant can sting multiple times. When you step on or near a mound, dozens swarm at once. That is why fire ant stings almost always come in clusters.

For anyone with an allergy, the reaction can be serious. We have had homeowners in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake tell us they had no idea they were allergic until a fire ant encounter sent them to urgent care. With kids running barefoot after pool time or elderly family members gardening in the yard, the risk is real — and it happens fast.

If you are not sure what you are dealing with, give us a call. Our team can take a look and tell you exactly what is going on.

Why Fire Ants Are So Common in Coastal Virginia

Hampton Roads gives fire ants almost perfect conditions. Warm temperatures. Humid summers. Sandy coastal soil that drains well and heats up quickly. Regular rainfall. It is everything fire ants need to build colonies fast.

The Tidewater region stays warm enough for fire ants to stay active from early spring well into fall. Add the afternoon thunderstorms we get all summer and the moisture that follows, and fire ant populations can explode in a matter of weeks.

Our technicians deal with fire ant infestations across Hampton Roads every summer, especially in sunny yards after periods of heavy rain. Military housing communities, newer subdivisions with open lawns, and neighborhoods near marshes or retention ponds tend to see the heaviest activity.

Why Do Fire Ant Mounds Keep Coming Back?

Mounds usually show up in open, sunny areas. Your lawn. Landscape beds. Along sidewalks and driveways. Against the foundation. Fire ants prefer spots where the soil gets direct sunlight and heats up fastest.

One thing that surprises a lot of homeowners is how quickly mounds appear. You mow the lawn on Saturday, and by Monday a mound the size of a softball is sitting right where there was nothing before. That is because fire ants build deeper underground during dry spells. After rain, they push soil up and resume building where you can see it. The colony was already there. The mound just makes it visible.

If mounds keep showing up after rain or mowing, it usually means the colony is already well established underground. That is when professional fire ant treatment becomes important — because the problem is bigger than what you can see on the surface.

Signs You Have Fire Ants in Your Yard

Common signs of a fire ant problem in Hampton Roads yards include fresh dirt mounds that appear after rain, especially in sunny open areas. The mounds look like loose piles of dirt and can be dome-shaped or flat on top. Unlike other ant hills, fire ant mounds do not have an obvious entry hole.

If you step near a mound and ants immediately swarm up your shoes or ankles, you are dealing with fire ants. That aggressive, fast swarming behavior is the biggest giveaway. You may also notice multiple mounds clustered in the same area of the yard, particularly along the sunny side of the house, near sidewalk edges, or around utility boxes.

Painful clustered stings that turn into raised welts with white pustules are another clear indicator. If anyone in the family is getting stung in the yard — especially kids or pets — it is worth having your property inspected before the problem gets worse.

When Are Fire Ants Most Active in Hampton Roads?

Fire ant activity in coastal Virginia picks up in the spring and stays heavy through summer and into early fall. May through September is peak season.

Our team has noticed fire ant calls typically spike as early as April, especially after the first stretch of warm rain. By May, mounds are everywhere. We often see a second surge in early fall when cooler nights push fire ants to relocate mounds to sunnier spots in the yard.

Even during the hottest part of summer, fire ants stay active. They adjust their foraging to cooler parts of the day — early morning and late afternoon. That is also when families tend to be outside. Backyard cookouts, kids playing, dogs running around. It lines up perfectly with when fire ants are most aggressive.

The sooner you address fire ant activity, the better. Colonies grow fast, and a queen can produce thousands of eggs per day. Waiting just means more mounds and more risk. Contact us at (757) 489-8610, and we will assess your yard.

Are Fire Ants Dangerous to Pets?

Yes. Pets are especially vulnerable to fire ant stings. Dogs and cats that lie down near a mound or walk through an infested area can be stung dozens of times before they even react. We hear from homeowners across Hampton Roads every summer about pets getting into fire ant mounds, and it is never a good situation.

Smaller pets and older animals are at the highest risk. Multiple stings can cause swelling, pain, and in some cases, serious allergic reactions. If your pets spend time in the yard, fire ant control is not just a comfort issue — it is a safety issue.

Why Store-Bought Products Do Not Work

Most store-bought fire ant products only kill the ants you can see. The queen survives underground, and within days, a new mound pops up nearby. The colony does not die. It just moves.

We see this pattern constantly. Homeowners who have been battling the same fire ant problem for months with hardware store products, and the mound count has actually gone up. The colonies keep splitting and relocating every time the surface gets treated. It is frustrating, and it is a waste of money.

Fire ant colonies can extend several feet underground. Surface treatments only reach a fraction of the colony. To actually solve the problem, you need to eliminate the queen.

How Does Getem Services Get Rid of Fire Ants?

Our fire ant control services start with an inspection to see how many active mounds you have, where they are concentrated, and how severe the infestation is. From there, we recommend the approach that makes the most sense for your yard and your situation.

For active mounds, we treat the colony directly to eliminate the queen fast. Product is applied deep into the mound so it reaches the entire colony underground, not just the ants on the surface.

For yards with widespread activity, we use a broadcast treatment across the property. Fire ants carry the bait back to their colonies, and elimination typically happens within two to three days. This approach works well for families with kids and pets because it covers the whole yard.

For interior problems, if fire ants have entered your home or another structure, we apply targeted indoor treatment to eliminate the colony. It does not happen often, but when it does, we handle it.

Sometimes we combine methods — direct treatment on the worst mounds and broadcast across the rest of the yard. Whatever it takes to get the job done.

Over 100 Years of Protecting Hampton Roads Homes

Getem Services has been taking care of pest problems in Hampton Roads since 1922. We are locally owned, family operated, and we have spent more than a century building relationships across the communities we serve.

Our team knows the pest pressures here because we live here too. We know fire ant mounds show up faster after those heavy summer thunderstorms that roll through Hampton Roads. We know which neighborhoods experience higher activity levels based on soil type and sun exposure. And we know that when someone calls about fire ants, they usually need help fast — because someone already got stung.

With a 4.9-star rating from 3,800+ reviews, we have built our reputation on getting the job done right the first time. When it comes to fire ants, that means eliminating the colonies — not just knocking down the mounds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Ants in Hampton Roads

How long does a fire ant treatment take?

Most residential fire ant treatments take about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the yard and the number of active mounds. Our technicians handle everything during the visit, and you do not need to be home for the treatment.

Are fire ant treatments safe for kids and pets?

Yes. Our treatments are applied in targeted areas and are safe for kids and pets once dry, which usually takes about 30 minutes. Our technicians will let you know exactly when it is safe to return to the yard.

Can fire ants damage my lawn or landscaping?

Yes. Large fire ant infestations can damage turf, displace soil, and interfere with landscaping and irrigation systems. Mounds may also create bare spots in the lawn and damage plant roots over time.

How do I know if I am allergic to fire ant stings?

Most people develop painful welts that heal within about a week. If you experience widespread swelling, dizziness, nausea, or difficulty breathing after a sting, seek medical attention immediately. An allergist can test for fire ant venom allergies if needed.

Do fire ants come back after professional treatment?

Professional treatment eliminates active colonies on your property, but new fire ants can eventually move in from nearby areas. Ongoing monitoring and seasonal treatments help keep your yard protected during peak fire ant season in Hampton Roads.

Take Your Yard Back This Summer

Fire ants should not keep your family from enjoying the yard. Whether you are seeing one mound or twenty, Getem Services can help you address the problem so your kids, pets, and guests can be outside without worrying about stings.

Contact Getem Services today to schedule your fire ant inspection, or give us a call at (757) 489-8610.