Fire Ant Activity in Parks
As warmer weather arrives, the City of Fountain Inn is welcoming increased use of its parks, playgrounds, ballfields, and walking trails. The City’s Parks Maintenance team continues to prioritize the safety, cleanliness, and overall experience of these community spaces.
During the spring and summer months, fire ants are commonly found throughout outdoor environments in the Southeast. These ants naturally live in soil and can construct mounds quickly—sometimes overnight—particularly following warm temperatures and rainfall.
City Parks staff conduct routine inspections of playgrounds, athletic fields, walking trails, and other park areas. When active ant mounds are identified, staff apply targeted treatments to eliminate colonies and reduce the risk of stings.
Due to the nature of outdoor environments, new ant mounds may occasionally appear between scheduled inspections. Weather conditions such as increased temperatures and rainfall can accelerate ant activity.
Residents are encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings while visiting parks, avoid disturbing ant mounds, and report any concerns to the City so staff can respond promptly. Form Center • Public Works Citizen Report Form
The City reminds residents that parks are natural outdoor environments where insects and wildlife may be present from time to time.