Fire Ant
Category: Ants
Scientific Name: Solenopsis
Identification:
Color: Yellow head and thorax with black abdomen
Size: 1/16 – ¼ inch long
Region: Found throughout the world
Lifespan: 4-6 weeks
Important Considerations:
- Fire ant queens can produce up to 1,500 eggs a day.
- Colony sizes can range from 80,000 to 250,000 individual ants.
- These ants get their name from their ability to deliver painful stings. In some cases, anaphylactic shock as a result of multiple stings has resulted in death.
- It is estimated that 1-2% of the United States population is at risk of anaphylactic shock when stung by fire ants.
Where to Find Them on Your Property?
Fire ants nest in ground underneath soil. The nests are usually under stones, trees, shrubs, or clumps of grass. These ants usually only enter structures in the morning after heavy rain or flooding. The ants will enter the home through the HVAC or air conditioning system and can pose a threat to people inside.