It is not as aggressive as the red imported fire ant, which has actually pushed out much of this species. The black imported fire ant was unknowingly brought to the United States around 1918 and first established in Mobile, Alabama. The worker ants range in size from ⅛ to ¼ of an inch and their bodies are a rusty brown color. The red imported fire ant has been found in most southern and western states from Maryland to California. This species, as well as the black imported fire ant, most likely hitched a ride in the soil used as ballast on trade ships. The red imported fire ant, the most common of the four, was introduced to the United States from Brazil sometime between 19 and was first found in Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. It can be very challenging to tell the difference between each fire ant species because not only do they look similar and live in many of the same areas, but they can also interbreed. There are four species of fire ant: red imported fire ant, black imported fire ant, tropical fire ant and southern fire ant. Colonies are found in cone-shaped mounds that can be as large as 1 to 2 feet in diameter and 1 to 1.5 feet high. Fire ants reproduce through mating flights, usually 6 to 8 times a season from spring to fall. Colonies can have anywhere from 80,000 to 250,000 ants. Minor workers will live between 30 to 60 days, intermediate workers will last 60 to 90 days, majors between 90 to 180 days, and queens anywhere from 2 to 6 years. The lifecycle of a fire ant depends on size. Fire ants will burrow through plant stems, damaging growth and sometimes ruining agricultural crops. Their stings can cause blindness and swelling. They have the ability to attack and kill animals, even livestock, when the colony is provoked. Fire ants in your home can usually be spotted along the edge of carpeting, having gotten inside through an exterior crack. They usually travel in groups of about a thousand ants and are often seen along foundations, sidewalks, patios and curbs. Their foraging trails are often easily visible. They will eat anything from insects to small animal caracasses, garbage, seeds, and even baby birds. They’re not picky eaters, so any food you have lying around is susceptible to snacking by these pests. Fire Ant Infestationįire ant infestations are not difficult to spot in your home. A fire ant will attack multiple times, leaving small, red blisters with white heads on the skin. The fire ant gets its name from the painful bites and stings it can inflict upon an unwitting human. Fire ants have distinct patterns of yellow spots all over their bodies. With the exception of the black fire ant, workers of all species are reddish brown.
Workers range from ⅛ inch to a ¼ inch long. Their bodies have two distinct segments with a stinger at the tip of the abdomen. Organic Tick & Mosquito Control ProgramĪll fire ants generally look the same.
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