Red Imported Fire Ant

Solenopsis invicta

Foraging Characteristics: Small to large shining, dark brown gaster with remainder of body reddish.  Multiple worker sizes, often forage in distinct trails.  Mounds in soil during wet season are dome-shaped with many openings.  Highly aggressive. If disturbed ants will rush out and attack in large numbers.

Detailed Description:   2.4-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in) long. Polymorphic.  Ten-segmented antennae with two-segmented club. Two-segmented petiole. Medial clypeal tooth usually present, mesopleuron densely sculptured. Subfamily Myrmicinae.

Most Common Complaints: Painful, long-lasting stings that leave pustule.  Mounds in yards. There are a number of baits for small-scale control around structures. There is much research  currently being done on control for large areas using biological controls.

Flight Season: Usually spring and fall, but can occur any time of year a few days after rain, when temperatures are above 75°F, sunny, and not windy. Flights occur late morning, mating high in the air.

Nest Sites & Characteristics: Nest in exposed soil or lawns, especially bordering concrete or pavement. After rainfall, nests in sandy soil are rebuilt with sponge-like surface. If disturbed, workers will pour out of the mound and up the leg of the offender.  Nests have single queens in most areas, but multiple queen nests exist. Alates are large, rotund, winged ants that fly early summer at high altitudes then land, remove wings and may congregate in groups in cracks and crevices on the ground or under objects.

Origin: Brazil

Diet: Hunt living insects and scavenge for any dead animals.   Collect honeydew from sap-sucking insects. They have been accused of killing bird nestlings.  Forage on sweets, proteins, and fats in homes.  Sometimes attracted to piles of dirty laundry.