What is a Fire Ant?

What is a fire ant? A fire ant is among several species of ants in the genus Solenopsis, which includes more than 200 species worldwide. It is typically reddish brown in color, lives in a colony with thousands of other ants, and has a stinger that gives it its “fiery” name.

Several species of fire ants are found in the U.S., but the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is considered the worst of all varieties. They can be identified by their deep red thorax and black abdomen and their aggressive behavior.

Red imported fire ants are hard-working architects. They build nests outdoors in mounds of soil and live beneath them in an elaborate network of underground tunnels. Oval-shaped mounds average 10” tall, are about as wide as a dinner plate, and have no visible openings.

Thousands of fire ants live in just one fire ant colony. Properties with single queen colonies may have 40 to 150 mounds and about 7 million red fire ants per acre. If infested with multiple queen colonies, there may be 200 or more mounds and up to 40 million red fire ants per acre.

A lack of noticeable mounds may make you think you haven’t been infested with fire ants or that they’re under control, but don’t be fooled. They are most likely there… and increasing the size of their colony.

Leave Fire Ant Control to the Professionals!

The key to controlling fire ants is to identify them quickly and take action to minimize the damage they cause to humans, animals and property. Outside of calling licensed pest management professionals like Fire Ant Control, LLC, there is no “best way” to kill these troublemakers.

Fire Ant Control, LLC, provides the most effective and affordable fire ant solution to homes and businesses throughout South Florida, and anywhere else our services are needed.

Extermination is not instantaneous but, once the worker ants have eaten the bait and carried it down into the colony, sterilizing the queen, the entire colony will disappear, and no new ants will be born. Within weeks, your property will be nearly free of fire ants.

Our proven treatment works for properties ranging from small residential lots to thousands of acres. Our bait is regulated and approved for use on public and private lands. There is no re-entry interval on private property, which means that you, your family, your pets and other animals can walk anywhere on the property immediately after a treatment has been applied.

Because new colonies can develop when winged adult ants fly off to mate and start a new colony, or when an existing colony decides to expand into new territory, we highly recommend treatments every four months to keep fire ants under control.

If you need more information about identifying fire ants or deciding what to do about them, give Fire Ant Control, LLC, a call today at (239) 312-8200 to schedule a free consultation.