Imported fire ants were accidentally introduced into the United States in the s. Because they require moisture, as well as a food source to survive, these opportunistic insects are typically found in the humid Southeastern United States. However, they've spread north and west, stopping where there is severe cold or lack of water. Native fire ants prefer the arid southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where imported fire ants are rare.
Fire ants are social insects that build nests, called mounds, by pushing up soil as they tunnel in the earth. They nest in almost any type of soil, but prefer open, sunny areas, such as meadows, pastures, parks, playgrounds, lawns and golf courses, as well as agricultural land and wilderness areas.
Unlike other kinds of ants, fire ants have no nest entry on the mound itself. They enter the nest via tunnels that may reach several feet or more beyond the mound itself.
Though it is the most recognizable sign of the presence of fire ants, a mound is not necessary for the survival of a fire ant colony. During especially hot or dry weather, colonies tend to move deeper into the ground, foregoing the palatial mounds that are so obvious in moderate weather.
New colonies may not build a visible mound for months or longer, depending on soil and weather conditions. Imported fire ant mounds may be as large as 18 inches high and 30 inches wide, and feature no entry hole. Queen fire ants lay eggs, which hatch into grub-like larvae.
Although these fire ants are often found outdoors, they can gain access to buildings through HVAC systems and AC units. I f they manage to get inside , red ant bites can become an issue. Although commonly referred to as a bite, red ants actually sting, not bite. In fact, red ants will sting humans who disturb a nest.
The sting of a red imported fire ant is painful and often results in a raised welt that becomes a white pustule.
Often, a person stung by red imported fire ants will receive multiple stings from more than one of the ants. Red imported fire ants and their telltale mound nests should be actively avoided.
Interfering with a fire ant nest can cause them to sting, resulting in painful welts. To prevent red ants from entering a structure, seal all internal and external cracks and crevices. With summer being peak season for ants, experts at the National Pest Management Association are sharing the top four ant species frequently encountered by homeowners across the U. How do red imported fire ants survive flood waters?
Fire ant mounds may reach 1 to 1. Inside, the mound is a teeming metropolis of worker ants, all sterile females capable of stinging. Disturbance of mounds results in a rapid defensive response by worker ants, which quickly run up vertical surfaces to bite and sting any objects encountered. The mounds have interconnecting galleries that are frequently several feet deep 60 to 90 cm , although some tunnels can penetrate to the water table.
In response to solar radiation and ambient conditions, fire ants move within the mound seeking optimum temperature for development of brood eggs, larvae, and pupae , a process called thermoregulation. Fire ant colonies or parts of polygyne colonies frequently migrate from one site to another. They can build a new mound several hundred feet away from their previous location and complete it almost overnight. Flooding causes colonies to leave their mounds and float until they can reach land to establish a new mound.
Look out for nests that look like mounds of loose sifted soil with no obvious entry or exit hole. The distinguishing features of fire ants are their:.
When checking nests for fire ants, gently poke the nest with a long stick and observe the ants that come out. Be careful not to get too close, as fire ants are aggressive. They will swarm when disturbed and have a painful sting.
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