Fire Ant (Solenopsis spp.)
Fire ants sting and bite anyone who disturbs their nest, causing itching and a white pustule that can become infected. Some people are allergic and may experience severe reactions like chest pain or dizziness, requiring immediate medical attention.
These ants damage plants, lawns, and electrical fixtures by building nests around trees, pipes, and structures, and they feed on a wide range of plants and animals.
A single fire ant can sting repeatedly, and young or newborn animals are especially vulnerable. These ants also harm the environment, displacing native species and reducing wildlife food sources. First introduced from South America, they now spread across at least 13 states in the southern U.S., from North Carolina through Texas into Oklahoma, southern California, Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
Fire ants are dark reddish-brown in color (one species is black with yellowish mottling). Workers are polymorphic (having several sizes), ranging in size from 1/8 to 1/4 (3.5 to 7 mm), and have six legs, antennae, and a segmented.
Imported fire ants prefer warm, sunny spots and usually build their nests in the soil. You’ll often find them around building foundations, in yards, gardens, landscaped areas, and even cemeteries. They like open, undisturbed spaces like fields, pastures, and along roadsides. Fire ants also tend to nest near water sources, like ponds or ditches. In cities and suburbs, they can be found in flowerbeds, under sidewalks, and around the edges of buildings. Their nests are often in places with well-drained soil, making them a common issue in many outdoor areas.
Typical nests are hard, rounded, mound-shaped nests; they may get quite large (18-24 inches high and 12 to 24 inches in diameter) and pose a risk to field workers and farm equipment.
A fire ant goes through four stages in its life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult (a complete metamorphosis). Eggs hatch into tiny larvae that are fed by worker ants. After growing through four stages, they become pupae, which look like adults but with legs and antennae tucked against their bodies. These pupae darken as they mature, eventually becoming adults. The worker life cycle from egg to adult is completed in 22 to 38 days.
Most larvae become sterile worker ants, but some get extra food and grow larger to become reproductive ants. The winged females are future queens, while the males are smaller, black, and have different antennae. During mating flights, queens and males mate midair, and the males die soon after. Queens remove their wings and settle into the soil to start laying eggs, which grow into worker ants.
Some colonies have a single queen (monogyne), while others have multiple queens (polygyne), making them harder to control. Polygyne colonies can spread quickly by budding, leading to higher mound densities, sometimes 200 to 700 mounds per acre in the southeastern U.S.
Fire ants can make living rafts to survive floods. When their nests get flooded, they link together to form waterproof rafts that can float. This helps the whole colony, including the queen, eggs, larvae, and pupae, stay afloat and move to dry land once the water goes down.
How did imported fire ants arrive in the U.S., and where are they most common?
Fire ants were accidentally brought to the U.S. from South America on a cargo ship. Since arriving in Alabama, they've spread quickly, but they mainly stay in the South and Southeast because colder northern temperatures make it hard for them to survive the winter.
How do fire ants affect humans and animals?
Fire ants can harm humans and animals by stinging, which injects venom that causes itchy welts. For most people, the stings are painful but not life-threatening. However, those who are allergic or sensitive to the venom may experience severe reactions like chest pain, nausea, or even going into a coma in extreme cases. Fire ants also prey on small animals, birds, and livestock, and can damage crops or other wildlife.
What makes fire ant nests so impressive?
Fire ant nests are larger than you might think. Their underground tunnels can stretch several. Typical nests are rounded mound-shaped nests; they may get quite large18-24 inches high and 12 to 24 inches in diameter.
Why do fire ants like cemeteries?
Fire ants are attracted to cemeteries because these areas often have well-maintained lawns, soil with good drainage, and plenty of open space for building nests. Cemeteries also tend to be relatively undisturbed, providing a peaceful environment for fire ants to thrive. The presence of trees, plants, and other landscaping features offers additional food sources and shelter, making cemeteries an ideal place for fire ants to establish colonies.
How to prevent fire ant infestation.
Fire ants and their distinctive mound nests should be avoided. Disturbing a nest can lead to painful stings and welts. To keep them from entering your home, make sure to seal all cracks and crevices, both inside and outside.
How to get rid of fire ants.
If you think you have a fire ant infestation in your home, it’s best to contact a licensed pest control expert like Abell. They’ll inspect your property to determine the full extent of the issue and recommend the right treatment. Abell has the experience and tools to safely eradicate the ants while reducing risks.
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