FIRE ANT FACTS & INFORMATION
Key Points
Fire ants were introduced to the U.S. in the 1930s and now thrive in warm, sunny regions.
They’re aggressive, deliver painful stings, and can be dangerous to pets and humans.
Colonies can contain up to 500,000 ants, with queens living 6–7 years.
Mounds can reach 18 cm tall and 61 cm wide, especially after rain.
Fire ants feed on insects, meats, fats, sugars—and even small vertebrates.
What Does a Fire Ant Look Like?
Fire ants are reddish-brown to reddish-black in color and range in size from 1.6 mm to 5 mm. They have:
A hard exoskeleton
Six legs
A rounded head with mandibles
A segmented thorax and abdomen
A visible stinger at the tip of the abdomen, which they use to inject venom
Their painful sting is what gives them the “fire” reputation, causing burning sensations, red welts, and sometimes allergic reactions.
Fire Ant Anatomy
Head: Round, equipped with strong mandibles for gripping prey
Thorax: Armored and muscular for movement
Abdomen: Includes a pedicle (waist) and gaster (stinger area)
Color: Most commonly copper brown on the head with a darker abdomen
Venom: Alkaloid-based, causing stings that can lead to medical emergencies in rare cases
Fire Ant Nests & Mounds
Fire ant nests are typically:
Underground colonies with elaborate chambers
Mounds that are dome-shaped and can grow up to 18 cm tall and 61 cm wide
Built in sunny, open areas like lawns, parks, and fields
Frequently appear after heavy rains
Some nests house 100,000 to 500,000 ants and include specialized chambers for queens, larvae, and worker tasks.
Colony expansion can occur rapidly, with new mounds appearing nearby due to multi-queen dynamics.
Behavior & Colony Structure
Fire ant colonies are complex and highly organized, including:
Workers: Forage, defend, nurse, build, and clean
Soldiers: Larger workers that defend the nest
Queens: Lay up to 1,500 eggs per day, living 6–7 years
Winged Reproductives: Males and females that take flight to start new colonies
They are extremely aggressive, attacking intruders with repeated stings.
Life Cycle
Fire ants undergo complete metamorphosis:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Egg | Laid by the queen, hatches in 7–10 days |
| Larva | Fed liquid diet by adult workers |
| Pupa | Develops into adult without feeding |
| Adult | Becomes worker, soldier, or reproductive ant |
A new worker ant takes about 30 days from egg to adult. Queens begin laying more eggs quickly, expanding the colony.
What Do Fire Ants Eat?
They are omnivorous and opportunistic, consuming:
Insects: spiders, bees, earthworms, ticks
Meat & fats: animal carcasses, pet food, kitchen scraps
Sugars: syrups, fruits, juices
Vertebrates: sometimes attack newborn animals or birds
Fire ant larvae: consume liquids until they’re large enough to digest solids
Fire ants are especially drawn to fatty and sweet foods once indoors.
Origin & Spread in the U.S.
Species: Solenopsis invicta (Red Imported Fire Ant)
Origin: South America
Introduced: Accidentally in Alabama in the 1930s via cargo
Spread: Now found from Florida to California and up to Virginia and Oklahoma
Reason for spread: Warm climates and lack of natural predators
The Role of the Queen
Reproduction powerhouse: Lays 1,000–1,500 eggs per day
Longevity: Lives up to 6 or 7 years
Mating flights: Takes place in mass swarms after rain
Multiple-queen colonies: Enable rapid expansion and new mound creation
Workers protect the queen at all costs—even relocating her when necessary
Are Fire Ants Dangerous?
Yes. Fire ants:
Deliver multiple stings in rapid succession
Cause burning, itching, swelling, and pustules
Can trigger allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis
Small pets and young animals can die from multiple stings
Seek medical attention if stung and experiencing severe symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or difficulty breathing.
Interesting Fire Ant Facts
Colonies often contain multiple queens
Mounds appear overnight after rainfall
Queens shed wings after mating and immediately start new colonies
How did I get fire ants?
Fire ants are drawn to warm, sunny environments like lawns, fields, and parks. They avoid shady, wooded areas and prefer open spaces. If you’ve recently landscaped using infested sod, mulch, or nursery plants, it’s possible fire ants hitched a ride in the soil. These invasive pests can also migrate from neighboring properties, especially after rain. Once they find a suitable location, they rapidly build underground colonies and form visible mounds.
How serious are fire ants?
Fire ants are considered a serious threat to both people and pets. Their stings cause intense pain, burning, and swelling, and they often attack in large numbers. For some individuals, the venom can trigger dangerous allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. In pets or wildlife, multiple stings can be fatal. Beyond health risks, fire ants also damage electrical equipment, invade homes, and disrupt outdoor activities. Because their colonies often contain multiple queens and can quickly relocate or rebound, fire ants are difficult to eliminate without professional help.
Can fire mounds be huge?
Yes, fire ant mounds can grow much larger than expected. While typical mounds are around 18 cm tall and 61 cm wide, some exceed these dimensions when left undisturbed. Unlike other ant species, fire ant mounds may lack a central opening on the surface and can form suddenly after rain. Underground, the mound supports a complex tunnel network and thousands of ants. Larger mounds often indicate a mature, well-established colony.
How long do fire ants live?
The fire ant life span varies by role. Worker ants typically live around 5–6 weeks, while queens can survive up to 6 or 7 years under optimal conditions. Males have the shortest life span, dying shortly after mating. Because queens can lay up to 1,500 eggs per day, colonies can grow rapidly, creating multiple mounds within a short time frame. Understanding their life cycle is key to effective long-term control.
Do fire ants invade homes?
They can. While fire ants prefer outdoor environments, they may enter homes during heavy rain or drought in search of food or dry shelter. Indoors, they’re attracted to greasy or sugary substances, including pet food, crumbs, or pantry items. Once inside, they’re difficult to remove due to their aggressive nature and ability to rebuild quickly. If you notice them indoors, it may indicate an infestation nearby or under your foundation.
What should I do if I have fire ants?
Fire ants are aggressive and difficult to eliminate without professional help. DIY products may kill surface workers but often fail to reach the deep colony or eliminate the queen. Plus, disturbing a mound can cause the colony to split and form satellite mounds, making the infestation worse. A licensed pest control company can provide targeted treatment with professional-grade products, reducing risk to your family and pets.
Does On Demand provide free inspections in Florida?
On Demand does NOT charge for inspections. Our objective is to provide each customer with a personalized strategy. We know where to look for certain types of bugs, and we will perform a full inspection to find them. Additionally, we will also check for any other type of pest that may have made their way into your home. Each strategy takes into account the specifics of the property, issue, and the surrounding area. You may request an inspection by contacting (954) 947-0805.
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