Native Fire Ants
Three major species of fire ant inhabit North America: the imported red fire ant, the black fire ant and the native fire ant. All three can be harmful to humans and pets, and as such, should be avoided at all costs.
Native Fire Ants
The most persistent and common of these species is the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. The red imported fire ant (sometimes referred to as RIFA) has no natural predators in North America and is the most resilient fire ant species, capable of surviving dramatic temperature swings and severe weather. They are also capable of physically dominating and displacing other ant species. In order to combat the red fire ant, humans have developed an extensive arsenal of pesticides and bait and are even experimenting with the introduction of the phorid fly to control ant colonies. These South American flies lay their eggs in living fire ants. When the fly eggs hatch, the larvae eat the ant.
The black fire ant is similar to the red fire ant in habits, and is found in a smaller area between Mississippi and Alabama. The primary distinction, as the name suggests, is the black coloration.
Native fire ants, or Solenopsis geminata, are smaller than red imported fire ants and are black in color. Native fire ants are also referred to as tropical fire ants, and are found in warm states such as South Carolina, Florida and Texas. Unlike black and imported red fire ants, native fire ants prefer moist, loose soil for their colonies.
Other Common Fire Ant Control Methods
Fire Ants & Humans
Biology & Habitat
- Fire Ant Identification: What Does a Fire Ant Look Like?
- Fire Ant Anatomy
- Fire Ant Queen
- Fire Ant Nests, Hills & Range
- Fire Ant Life Cycle
Types of Fire Ants
Fire Ant Video