Pest Library

Characteristics

Fire ants are considered one of the worst pests found in the United States. They are commonly found in colors of red or yellow, and are small-to-medium size. They can leave a severe burning sting to any potential victim. Size may differ according to species, but they can be commonly found to be around 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. They also have two nodes between the thorax and abdomen and their antennae has a two-segment club that is made of ten segments.

Habitat

Fire ants are just like any other ants that create colonies. In most cases, these colonies are set up in large mounds that can be easily seen during spring or fall. Their mound has no opening in the center, unlike most mounds. They will build these mounds in places where they will not be disturbed, such as in fence rows, against a wall, in turfgrass, clay soil, and so on.

Behavior

Fire ants are known for their painful stings. When they bite insects, they will grip their prey to inject them with a toxic alkaloid venom. For people who are stung by them, they will mostly leave a sensation that is similar to a burning sensation, which is why they got the name fire ant.

They are also grouchy because of their aggressive behavior. When they feel any disturbance from their nest, they will quickly get out from their mound and battle anyone who they think will attack them. This aggressive behavior allows them to push other species away from their own habitat and use their enemies’ habitat to extend their own.

Food

These ants mostly eat young plants, seeds and insects, they can also eat small animals when they are given the chance. Fire ants can attack by biting their prey, then spraying acid on their victim.

Life Cycle

The fire ant colony is made up of a queen, males, female reproductives, soldiers, and workers. The queen is the largest in the colony, and is mostly responsible for making the colony larger. Female reproductives also help the queen in breeding more ants. When a female reproductive becomes an adult, she may leave the colony together with a male to create her own colony.

Female workers main responsibility is to maintain the structure of their nest and to feed their young. The male drones are responsible for mating with the queen or queens. Once they mate with the queen, the drone will die. The life cycle of the fire ant colony does not rely mostly on a single queen. While the queen may have 6 to 7 years to live, the continuation of her colony can be survived by the other queens in case the original queen dies.

Other Information and Tips

These ants are known as pests because of the sting they inject people and the agricultural damage that they can do. Individuals who are stung by fire ants may often experience pain and irritation, especially when the individual was stung by many ants. If you are bitten by these ants, take topical treatments such as antihistamines or topical corticosteroids. These treatments will help in relieving itchiness. In case of severe itchiness, pain, sweating, or swelling, consult a medical professional.

Photo: Fire Ants by Marufish, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / resized from original