Fire Ants

Fire Ants

Fire ants are a variety of stinging ants with over 280 species worldwide. They have several common names including ginger ants and tropical fire ants (English), aka-kami-ari (Japanese), fourmis de feu (French), and Feuerameisen (German). Source: Wikipedia.com

Identification

Fire Ant workers vary considerably in size. Fire Ants cause painful stings when bitten. Fire Ants build large raised mounds.

Environment

Fire Ants prefers to nest in open, disturbed areas. Fire Ants are commonly nest in yards, fields, and roadsides.

Threats

Fire Ants devastate local insect populations and small wildlife when it invades an area. Many ground nesting bird species have been eliminated by fire ants when they attack newly hatched nestlings. Humans likewise are victims of fire ants’ vicious sting.

Treatment

Granular baits are among the best treatments available for fire ants. The bait is distributed throughout the colony, eventually resulting in the death of the fire ant queen.