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Fire Ants

Native to central South America, red imported fire ants are established in the U.S. and Australia. Its sting is 95% alkaloid venom, which causes both the pain and white pustule that appears about a day after the sting occurs. In urban settings, they may nest under patio slabs, in lawns, under edges of sidewalks, foundations, concrete driveways, and electrical boxes. After a heavy rain, the colony may move to higher ground or inside homes to take refuge from saturated soil. They also reduce ground-nesting populations of rodents and birds.

Publications

Fire Ants Management in Industrial Hemp

AG477/SS-AGR-481by Nkem J. Nwosu, Hardeep Singh, Zachary Brym, Lakesh Sharma, Ethan Carter, Alexandra M. Revynthi, and Lance OsborneJune 7, 2024This publication highlights the presence, damage, and management of imported fire ants in industrial hemp production. This UF/IFAS Extension publication offers practical knowledge to researchers, Extension agents, growers, crop consultants, agricultural professionals, and students on the effects and management of imported fire ants in industrial hemp production. Written by Nkem J. Nwosu, Hardeep Singh, Zachary Brym, Lakesh Sharma, Ethan Carter, Alexandra M. Revynthi, and Lance Osborne, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, May 2024.

Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas

LH059/ENY226 by eXtension Imported Fire Ants communityMarch 4, 2024This publication is updated quarterly. For the most current version of this document, refer to the version posted on the Imported Fire Ants site, https://ant-pests.extension.org/managing-imported-fire-ants-in-urban-areas/.

Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

IN352/EENY-195 by Laura Collins and Rudolf H. ScheffrahnOctober 23, 2020

Related IFAS Blog Posts

Florida Farm Pests: Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA)

Luis Rodriguez RosadoSeptember 30th, 2024They are strong and aggressive. When they attack, they bite and they sting you. These guys invade our homes, and take over our farms and landscapes, and they do this without us even noticing: they are Red Imported Fire ants.   What are Imported Fire Ants and Where Did They Come From? Imported ants are […]

UF/IFAS expert shares pest control tips for hurricane season

Lourdes MederosSeptember 25th, 2024Storms bring more than wind and rain during the Atlantic hurricane season. Unwanted pests crawl into our lives. With electricity outages, standing water and damaged structures, urban pests find ample opportunity to invade homes, businesses and schools. “The summer months of May through November are prime time for both storm activity and pests in Florida.” […]

Fire Ants in the Garden

Erin HarlowNovember 1st, 2019As the weather cools off and people get back in their yards and gardens the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) becomes enemy number one. The non-native, red imported fire ant (RIFA) can have large colonies with 80,000 to 240,000 workers. Fire ants have both single and multi-queen fire ant colonies. Multi-queen colonies are not […]