Red Imported Fire Ant vs Pharaoh Ant
Red Imported Fire Ants and Pharaoh ants are easy to mix up at a glance, but a few details separate them quickly. Here is how to tell which one you found and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Quick answer
Check for this first. A red imported fire ant has mixed sizes of copper-red workers in one colony, while a Pharaoh ant has very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen.
Side-by-side comparison
| Red Imported Fire Ant | Pharaoh Ant | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Ants | Ants |
| Scientific name | Solenopsis invicta | Monomorium pharaonis |
| Size | 2–6 mm | 1.5–2 mm |
| Colors | Red and Brown | Yellow and Tan |
| Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | No | No |
| Bites or stings | Bites, Stings | No |
| Risk | Health risk | Nuisance |
| Key feature | Mixed sizes of copper-red workers in one colony | Very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen |
Key differences
- Size: Red Imported Fire Ants are larger, reaching 6 mm, while Pharaoh ants top out around 2 mm.
- Color: Red Imported Fire Ants are red and brown; Pharaoh ants are yellow and tan.
- Risk: the red imported fire ant can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease, while the Pharaoh ant is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people.
- Where found: look for red imported fire ants in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios; Pharaoh ants turn up in the kitchen and in the bathroom.
- Signature feature: Red Imported Fire Ants: mixed sizes of copper-red workers in one colony. Pharaoh Ants: very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen.
How to identify red imported fire ants
A small, aggressive reddish-brown ant that builds dome-shaped mounds of loose soil in sunny lawns and fields across the southern US. When disturbed, workers swarm and sting repeatedly.
- Mixed sizes of copper-red workers in one colony
- Loose, fluffy dirt mounds with no central opening
- Swarms quickly up legs when the mound is disturbed
How to identify Pharaoh ants
A tiny, pale yellow ant that nests in warm, hidden spots inside walls, cabinets and appliances. Colonies split into new nests when disturbed, which makes them hard to control.
- Very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen
- Two-node waist and a three-segment antennal club
- Trails along plumbing, outlets and baseboards
Which one is more dangerous?
The red imported fire ant carries more risk. Fire ant stings burn, form white pustules, and can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive people.
Fire ant stings burn, form white pustules, and can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive people. They don't bite, but in hospitals and kitchens they can carry bacteria onto clean surfaces.
Where and when you'll see each
Red Imported Fire Ants turn up in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios, mostly in spring, summer and fall. Pharaoh Ants turn up in the kitchen and in the bathroom, mostly in spring, summer, fall and winter.
Where you found the bug is itself a strong clue, since these two rarely share the same spots.
What to do if you find one
Red Imported Fire Ants: Broadcast a fire ant bait across the yard in warm, dry weather. Read the full removal guide for more.
Pharaoh Ants: Use slow-acting baits only, because sprays cause colonies to split. Read the full removal guide for more.
Biology: ants
Ants live in colonies ruled by one or more egg-laying queens. The workers you see are sterile females foraging for the rest of the colony, so killing visible ants rarely solves anything. Winged ants, called swarmers, appear when a mature colony sends out new kings and queens.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between red imported fire ants and Pharaoh ants?
Size: Red Imported Fire Ants are larger, reaching 6 mm, while Pharaoh ants top out around 2 mm.
Which is bigger, a red imported fire ant or a Pharaoh ant?
Red Imported Fire Ant: 2–6 mm. Pharaoh Ant: 1.5–2 mm.
Do red imported fire ants or Pharaoh ants bite?
Red Imported Fire Ants can bite and can sting. Pharaoh Ants do not bite.
Where are they usually found?
Red Imported Fire Ants: in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios. Pharaoh Ants: in the kitchen and in the bathroom.