(Myrmica rubra)
European fire ants are aggressive stingers and can sting repeatedly. Their sting is accompanied by a temporary, painful, burning sensation. Nests are hidden and difficult to detect, and people who unknowingly disturb the nest can quickly be swarmed and stung by ants protecting their nests.
Large numbers of workers are usually actively foraging outside the nest in invaded habitats. These foragers are present in dense numbers on the ground and above ground vegetation. They can crawl onto people or pets as they brush against foliage when moving through infested areas.
European fire ants are tiny red ants that are a pest for people and their pets, and a threat to the environment.
European Fire ants are small, reddish, with two backward-pointing spines on the middle body section, visible only with a magnifying glass. The constricted "waist" has two segments: most native species have only one.
European fire ants are about four or five millimeters or 3/16 of an inch in length.
Fire ants build mounds in almost any type of soil, but they prefer open, sunny areas such as meadows, pastures, parks, playgrounds, lawns, golf courses, as well as agricultural land and wilderness areas. Mounds can be located in rotting logs and around stumps and trees. Colonies can also occur in or under buildings, gaining access to buildings through HVAC systems and AC units.
Small and white in appearance, the fire ant's eggs are deposited throughout the year, but mostly during the summer months. The egg then becomes a larva, very soft, whitish in color and immobile. Mature larva becomes a pupa, before the adult emerges during the final molt.
What are the health impacts of bites and stings?
True to their name, the sting from a fire ant causes painful burns. After biting, the ant uses its stinger to release a venom comprised of alkaloids, and proteins that can cause allergic reactions. Stings result in burning, itching and localized inflammation that can last for many days. Anaphylactic reactions or swollen limbs from fire ant stings, although rare, are well documented and can develop even hours after the sting has occurred.
During a fire ant attack, it is recommended that people brush off the ants with swift movement of the hands.
Why do European Fire Ants attack?
Fire ants are very aggressive in defending their territory. Disturbing a nest or the foraging area can lead to a quick attack by dozens of ants. The ants will attack anything that stays too long in its territory — humans, pets, and livestock included. A typical nest can have 1,000 workers but some nests have been found with hundreds of queens and more than 10,000 workers.
How can I get rid of European Fire Ants?
Getting rid of European fire ant nest/s is not a DIY project because they are very aggressive ant and can cause real harm. Call reputable pest control company {Abell Pest Control} to manage it in professional and safe way.
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