Fire Ants (Solenopsis Invicta)

Size:  Varies depending on their role within the colony. Workers typically range from 1.6 to 5mm long. Female reproductives are 8mm long.

Color: Dark reddish-brown with a shiny appearance. The reddish coloration is more pronounced on their heads and thoraxes, while their abdomens may appear darker.

Body Structure: Have a segmented body with three main parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. Unlike termites, fire ants have elbowed antennae.

Stinger: This species of ant possesses a venomous stinger located at the tip of their abdomen. 

Aggressive Behavior: They are known for their aggressive behavior and may attack en masse if their nest is disturbed. They will bite and sting repeatedly, inflicting painful welts on humans and animals.

Mounds: They construct fire ant hills, which are irregular-shaped mounds of loose soil or dirt. 

Swarmers: Like other ant species, produce winged reproductive individuals known as swarmers.

Signs can vary depending on the stage of their development and the colony's activity. 

Mounds: Fire ants mounds are distinctive mounds of loose soil or dirt used as their nests. These mounds are often irregularly shaped and can vary in size from small, inconspicuous piles to large, noticeable structures. Large mounds are found in sunny, open areas such as lawns, parks, and fields.

Foraging Trails: Create foraging trails along the ground, often leading from their mound to nearby food sources. These trails may be visible as lines of ants moving back and forth, especially during periods of high activity.

Presence of Swarmers: During certain times of the year, colonies produce winged reproductive individuals called swarmers. If you see large numbers of flying ants around your property, particularly near mounds or on warm, humid days, it may indicate the presence of a nearby colony.

Damage to Plants: Fire ants may damage plants by feeding on seeds, seedlings, buds, and fruit. It could be due to fire ant activity if you notice signs of plant damage, such as wilted or discolored foliage, leaf holes, or distorted growth.

Visible Ants: In areas where fire ants are active, you may observe individual ants crawling on the ground or on surfaces. These ants are typically reddish-brown in color and may vary in size, with workers being smaller than swarmers or queens.

Yes, fire ants can bite, but their primary defense mode is through stinging. When they feel threatened, they will bite onto the intruder's skin with their jaws and inject venom into the wound.

These bites can be painful and result in localized swelling, redness, and itching. In some cases, multiple fire ants may bite and sting simultaneously, causing more significant discomfort and potentially leading to the formation of pustules or blisters on the skin. In rare cases, severe allergic reactions to fire ant venom, known as anaphylaxis, can occur, requiring immediate medical attention.

Yes, fire ants do have wings, but not all individual ants within a colony have wings. Fire ants produce winged reproductive individuals known as swarmers. These swarmers are typically larger than worker ants and have wings, which they use during mating flights to establish new colonies.

The presence of winged ants indicates a mature colony that is preparing to reproduce and expand its population. Swarmers emerge from the colony in large numbers during specific times of the year, often triggered by environmental factors such as temperature or humidity.

Once outside the colony, the male and female alates engage in a mating ritual, after which the female will shed her wings and search for a suitable nesting site to establish a new colony. The male swarmer usually dies shortly after mating.

Fire ants can cause various types of damage, both to property and to humans and animals. Here are some common types of damage associated with them:

Stingers: They are notorious for their painful sting, which can cause intense burning and itching sensations. Multiple stings can lead to the formation of welts, blisters, and even allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. In severe cases, fire ant stings can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Plant Damage: Fire ants can also damage ornamental plants, shrubs, and trees by tunneling through the soil and disturbing root systems. This can cause plants to become stressed, wilted, or weakened, making them more susceptible to disease and other environmental stresses.

Electrical Equipment Damage: Fire ants are attracted to electrical equipment and may build nests inside electrical boxes, transformers, air conditioning units, and other outdoor equipment. Their nesting activity can lead to short circuits, electrical failures, and costly damage to electrical systems.

Structural Damage: Fire ants may build nests in and around buildings, sidewalks, and other structures. Their nesting activity can undermine the stability of structures, causing damage to foundations, pavement, and landscaping features. Fire ant colonies may even infest interior spaces, such as walls, attics, and crawl spaces.

Environmental Impact: Fire ants can significantly impact native ecosystems by outcompeting native ant species, preying on native insects, and disrupting food webs. They can also affect the abundance and distribution of other species, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles.