Scientific Name: (Solenopsis invicta)
The Red Imported Fire Ant belongs to the family Formicidae and they’re highly eusocial and polymorphic insects. RIFA is spread by the movement of containerized plants and infested soil from the areas of the higher population to the lower. The red imported fire ant can sting humans and their pets, and as the result of venom that they inject into the human skin, a burning sensation often leads to severe skin issues. The imported fire ants may show agitation when disturbed and cling to the surfaces for biting. Moreover, a single ant can bite and sting repetitively. The imported red fire ants feed on plant materials such as young trees, seedlings, seeds, buds, and immature fruits. Besides stinging humans and destructing planting materials, Red imported fire ants build their mounds in the gardens and nests in wall structures, ceilings, and concrete that could cause severe economic loss to the gardeners and homeowners.
Origin and Distribution
The Red Imported Fire Ants are native to South America that were accidentally introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Asia, the Caribbean, and the US with seeds and planting materials. The red imported fire ants can live and survive in a wide range of habitats. The red imported fire ants infest most areas of 11 southern states, and they arrived in California in 1998. Where they infested several commercial and residential buildings in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties. The ants also traveled to Central Valley from Texas with honey bee hives. Now, they are widespread in disturbed areas, grasslands, deserts, rainforests, and buildings in most southern states, and their spread is due to the movement of infested nursery stuff, seeds, and container soil from the highly infested areas. The red imported fire ants become adaptable to new locations rapidly where they cause substantial damage to the agricultural and commercial settings.
Red Imported Fire Ants- Identification
The workers are reddish-brown and measure 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch long. The red imported fire ants have 3-clypeal teeth on the head but, that can be seen under a microscope only. Their waist consists of two segments. The antennae are 10-segmented, and the mandible with four distinct teeth. Sting locates at the slant of the gaster. However, the quickest recognition is their aggressive response to disturbance. If their mounds are disturbed, they could cling to anything that touches their food source or mound. The red imported fire ants make a dome-shaped mound at some unattended place in the garden or back yard that could have 12 inches' height. Sometimes, the red imported fire ants don't construct a mound but prefer nesting in building walls, wood logs, under walkways, and outdoor electric boxes.
Red Imported Fire Ant- Lifecycle
A colony hosts three types of workers. i.e., minor, media, and major. The lifespan varies for each class and minors could live between 30 to 60 days, media between 60 to 90 days, and major workers between 90 to 180 days. While the queens live between 2 to 6 years. Ants' lifecycle from an egg to adult completes between 22 to 38 days. In-flight mating occurs that initiates a new colony. Mating flights occur on a warm, sunny day after rain. Males die soon after mating with females. Reproductive alates emerge after it reaches one year older. After in-flight mating, it is not uncommon to locate the clusters of the newly-mated queens under shelter that later establish a new colony. However, only one queen survives as the colony grows. Anyhow, some multiple queen colonies may also exist depending on the species.
Symptoms and Types of Damages
Often, the gardeners and home dwellers are seriously concerned about the stinging behavior of fire ants. They inject a Venom into the skin that causes a severe burning sensation. Initially, itching and burning may be experienced that forms a white abscess which takes several days to recover and disappear its mark. Sometimes, it becomes infected and leaves a permanent scar on the skin. In case of repeated bitings consult a medical emergency at the earliest. Overall, the red imported fire ant feeds on all types of planting materials, including trees, seedlings, buds, and seed and animal material like weak, sluggish, injured, and dead livestock, insects, ticks, and mites besides, damaging commercial and residential infrastructure. Their mounds on the farmland or garden may prevent planting and harvesting.
Where Do the Red Imported Fire Ants Come from?
The red Imported fire ant’s workers emerge to forage in the garden or infrastructures when the surface temperature reaches 53 °F in spring until it reaches 123 °F in summer. However, beyond 107 °F their feeding activity slows down, and they are at risk of dying. Otherwise, the soil temperature reaching 80 °F is best adaptable to their feeding. Look for any mound in the garden and ask the relevant authorities to help.
How to Prevent Red Imported Fire Ant?
Besides all preventive measures if Red Imported Fire Ants infest your garden or household infrastructure, here are the most proven ways to suppress their population using the biological, organic, and chemical methodologies;
Red Imported Fire Ant- Control
Biological Control
BotaniGard 22WP Biological Insecticide
BotaniGard consists of 22% of Beauveria Bassiana strain GHA that lives and grows as fungal spores, and when sprayed on the foliage of the plants, fungal spores on the bodies of the Red Imported Fire Ants as well. Beauveria Bassiana secretes an enzyme that weakens the chitin, and fire ants are unable to molt. Finally, fungal spores enter the bodies of fire ants and kill them. Botanigard also produces the toxins like tenellin, bassianin, and oxalic acid which, act as natural insecticides for controlling the workers, alates, and queens of Red Imported Fire ants. This parasitism proves fatal for the ants, and they die within 5 to 7 days of application. It also causes white muscardine disease in fire ants that are also killed.
- BotaniGard 22WP Mycoinsecticide is an effective biological insecticide that is used to control whitefly, thrips, aphids, and many other insects. It is based on the highly successful fungus, Beauveria bassiana strain GHA, and controls the most troublesome crop pests – even resistant strains such as Q-biotype whitefly.
Add one tablespoon of BotaniGard per gallon of water and spray on the fire ants-infested plants.
Nema Globe-Nematodes, 20 Million Count
Although this is a specialty product for controlling Fungus Gnats, it contains naturally occurring insect-parasitic nematodes, Steinernema feltiae. Research proves that these are entomopathogenic nematodes that are highly effective to control the red imported fire ants of all classes. They can be released in an infective juvenile stage, while they search and destroy the worker ants on the foliage of the plants. Once, they get inside the body of the ants, Steinernema feltiae kill them pretty effectively. Another generation of nematodes could reproduce within the body of the fire ants that provides extended control. When applied in the soil for workers' control, Steinernema feltiae provides an extended control and stops re-infestation too. Its application is required in the spring when fire ants develop a new colony.
- No refrigeration required
- Ideal preventative treatment for tropical plants which are brought indoors after the outdoor gardening season is over, bee and beneficial safe
- We do not ship this product to the state of HI due to State regulations
50-million nematodes are enough for controlling fire ants in 1000 square feet of area.
Organic Control
Fertilome Come and Get It
Fertilome- Come and Get It is a specialized product for controlling fire ants, and it contains 0.015% baited Spinosad. When applied on the mounds or the areas where higher fire ants' infestation is observed can eliminate the entire colony overnight. The fire ants would happily feed and carry the Spinosad-baited product to the mound that could infect the whole population there. It's ready-to-use and only needs sprinkling around and on the mounds. This bait is also safe for the bees and the environment. Come and Get It is also OMRI listed and can be used on all edible plants in the garden.
- Kills the Queen & the mound
- Easy to use
- This product is manufactured in China
Add 4-tablespoons of bait on an average mound. 1-pound product pack is for applying on 10000 square feet of garden area.
Pest Control Peppermint Oil
Mighty Mint contains 4% of Peppermint Oil, and it's not an insecticide but a strong insect deterrent. No doubt that peppermint is an incredible pest controller, and most insects can’t live with the scent and leave the place where it applies. The peppermint essential oil includes all other ingredients from botanical sources such as vegetable oil, palm, and soybeans. Peppermint oil can be applied on the fire ants' mounds and indoors without fearing any residual effects on the residents. It's an OMRI-listed product and applies to all edible plants in the garden.
- PET-FRIENDLY & FAMILY-SAFE FORMULA – Mighty Mint is a top pick for pet parents looking for a natural, pest control solution. Safe to use around dogs, cats, and kids when applied as directed—no harsh fumes or dangerous chemicals, just powerful peppermint protection you can trust.
- POWERFUL PLANT-BASED PEST CONTROL – Formulated with extra-concentrated peppermint oil, this natural spray is a proven deterrent for spiders, ants, roaches, and more.
- EFFECTIVE INDOOR & OUTDOOR USE – Designed for versatile application on baseboards, entryways, patios, and other areas. Helps repel insects from kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces, and more—without staining surfaces.
Peppermint oil comes in a small bottle with an empty gallon. Pour the entire in the measuring gallon and add water to spray on the areas infested with red imported fire ants.
Chemical Control
Extinguish Plus Fire Ant Killer Bait
Extinguish Plus is a fire ants' killer for professional use only. Never handle this product on your own since it contains 0.365% of Hydramethylnon and 0.250% of Methoprene which are professional-grade insecticides used in this bait. The bait is a stomach poison and an Insect Growth Regulator together that could eliminate the entire colony overnight.
- Hydramethylnon 0.365%, Methoprene 0.250%
- Extinguish Fire Ant Bait is for use on residential property, commercial property, container or nursery stock, farms, commercial turf, pastures, and rangelands.
- For a mound treatment of Extinguish Plus Fire Ant Bait distribute 2 to 5 level tablespoons around the mound. Do not disturb the mound. For a broadcast application of Extinguish Plus for fire ants and harvester ants apply at a rate of 3 ounces per 5,000 square feet or 1.5 pounds per acre. For a broadcast application of Extinguish Plus for big-headed and argentine ants apply at a rate of 2 to 4 ounces per 5,000 square feet or 1 to 2 pounds per acre
Call an exterminator for the proper following all listed safety measures.
Check out our other guides on common garden bugs.