Fire Ants

Fire ants are small only getting up to about 1/4 of an inch long, though their size can vary within the same colony. They have a coppery or reddish head and body with a darker abdomen.

 

Fire ant mounds are often rounded or dome-like, though outside factors like heavy rain, mowing, or being stepped on can change their shape. Unlike some ant hills, a fire ant mound may not have a visible entrance. The ants use underground tunnels to move in and out.

 

Aside from the color, one quick way to identify fire ants is through their behavior when disturbed. Most ants will scatter; fire ants swarm. If a person or pet steps on a mound, fire ants climb quickly and sting almost at the same time. They bite first to grip the skin, then sting with venom. A single ant can sting more than once.

 

Fire ant colonies grow when queens produce workers and when colonies split. They can also spread through movement of soil, sod, nursery plants, mulch, hay, or equipment. Flooding can move colonies as well, since fire ants can form floating clusters to survive high water.

 

Fire ants do best in warm, sunny, open areas with access to food and moisture. They prefer disturbed soil and open ground more than dense, shaded forest. This means they will live all over your yard: in the grass, in the garden, along walkways, around driveways and sidewalks, and under landscaping elements. They are adaptable to a variety of soils and environments.

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For even more information about fire ants, check out our blog post