| Scientific name | Solenopsis invicta |
|---|---|
| Group | Ants |
| Size | 2–6 mm (up to about 0.24 in) |
| Colors | Red and Brown |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | No (as usually seen) |
| Where found | Lawn or grass and Yard or patio |
| Most active | Spring, Summer and Fall |
| Bites | Yes |
| Stings | Yes |
| Risk level | Health risk |
How to identify it
The red imported fire ant is a small member of the ants group. Elbowed antennae and a pinched waist with one or two nodes. Check for these three features:
- 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
About this bug
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.
You'll usually find red imported fire ants in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios. They are most active in spring, summer and fall.
Is it dangerous?
Fire ant stings burn, form white pustules, and can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive people.
Our rating: Health risk, meaning it can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
When you'll see red imported fire ants
Red Imported Fire Ants are most active in spring, summer and fall. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings.
Typical places to check: lawn or grass and yard or patio.
About ants
The red imported fire ant is one of the 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.
Bait works because workers carry it back and share it with the queen and larvae. Repellent sprays can scatter the colony and make the problem harder to fix.
What to do about it
- Broadcast a fire ant bait across the yard in warm, dry weather
- Treat individual mounds a few days after baiting
- Wear boots and avoid standing on or near mounds
Read the full guide: how to get rid of red imported fire ants.
Bugs that look similar
Size: Red Imported Fire Ants are larger, reaching 6 mm, while Pharaoh ants top out around 2 mm.
Size: Red Imported Fire Ants are larger, reaching 6 mm, while Argentine ants top out around 3 mm.
Group: Red Imported Fire Ant belongs to ants, while velvet ant belongs to bees & wasps. Elbowed antennae and a pinched waist with one or two nodes.
Frequently asked questions
What does a red imported fire ant look like?
Mixed sizes of copper-red workers in one colony. Adults measure 2–6 mm (up to about 0.24 in).
Does the red imported fire ant bite or sting?
It can bite. It can sting. Fire ant stings burn, form white pustules, and can cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive people.
Where do red imported fire ants live?
Red Imported Fire Ants live in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios.
When are red imported fire ants most active?
Mostly in spring, summer and fall.