About Fire Ants
Fire ants are an invasive pest known for their aggressive behavior, painful stings, and ability to form large, fast-growing colonies. What makes them stand out from other ants is their tendency to swarm when disturbed and the venom in their sting, which causes a burning sensation and itchy welts. Their nests are often found in open, sunny areas and can pose risks to people, pets, and even property. Because of their resilience and the size of their colonies, fire ants are a serious concern in many parts of the country and often require professional treatment to control.
What Do Fire Ants Look Like?
Fire ants are small, reddish-brown ants with darker abdomens and a noticeably aggressive appearance when disturbed. They range in size from about 1/16 to 1/4 inch long and can vary in size within the same colony. One of the easiest ways to spot them is by their large, loose soil mounds with no visible openings.
Key features of fire ants:
- Reddish-brown body with a darker abdomen.
- Small size: about 2–6 mm (1/16–1/4 inch) long.
- Workers vary in size within the same colony.
- Aggressive swarming behavior when the nest is disturbed.
- Nests appear as dome-shaped mounds with no obvious entry holes.
- Capable of stinging multiple times, causing burning and itchy welts.
Where Do Fire Ants Live?
Fire ants prefer warm, sunny areas and build their nests in soil, often creating large mounds in open spaces like lawns, fields, and parks. They can also nest in unexpected places such as electrical boxes, rotting logs, or at the base of trees. Their colonies grow quickly and may contain thousands of ants, and even multiple queens. Common fire ant nesting sites include:
- Lawns, gardens, and landscaped areas.
- Parks, playgrounds, and golf courses.
- Pastures, meadows, and open fields.
- Under rocks, logs, or rotting stumps.
- Near sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations.
- Inside electrical equipment or utility boxes.
Fire ants are highly adaptable and thrive in both rural and urban settings. While they are native to South America, they have spread across the southern U.S. and other parts of the world, making them a widespread and persistent pest.
What Kills Fire Ants?
Fire ants can be tough to eliminate, but both chemical and organic treatments are available to help manage and reduce their colonies. The most effective approach often combines baiting with direct mound treatments. Common methods for killing fire ants include:
- Fire ant baits: Slow-acting insecticides carried back to the colony by worker ants to kill or sterilize the queen over time.
- Mound treatments: Fast-acting products like liquid drenches, granules, or dusts applied directly to the nest.
- Boiling water: A natural option that can kill up to 60% of a mound when poured directly onto it.
- Botanical insecticides: Plant-based products that offer eco-friendly control options.
- Biological control: Natural predators or microbes that disrupt colony growth (used more in large-scale settings).
- Two-Step Method: Apply bait across the entire area, then follow up with targeted mound treatments for stubborn colonies.
Because of how large and aggressive fire ant colonies can be, professional ant control is often the most reliable way to get lasting results.
How to Prevent Fire Ants
The best way to deal with fire ants is to stop them before they build a colony on your property. Prevention starts with removing what attracts them and creating barriers that make it harder for them to settle in. Here are some tips on for preventing fire ant infestations:
- Seal cracks and gaps around foundations, doors, and windows to keep ants from entering your home.
- Keep yards clean by removing food scraps, pet food, and standing water that can attract foraging ants.
- Trim trees and shrubs away from the house to reduce access points.
- Move wood piles and debris away from buildings, as fire ants often nest in or under them.
- Use fire ant bait products as a barrier around your property before colonies can take hold.
- Regularly inspect your lawn and garden for signs of new mounds and treat them early.
Professional pest control services are a smart choice, especially if you’ve had fire ant issues in the past or live in an area where they’re common. If you're in the Boise area, you can contact our team at Affinity Pest Control for expert fire ant prevention and treatment options.