Orange County Fire Ant Authority

All About Red Imported Fire Ants

Description (Click on Images to Enlarge)

•The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis Invicta) is a small ant ranging from 1/8 to ¼ inch in length.
•They are dark red in color with a dark brown shiny abdomen.
•They possess one pair of toothed mandibles for grasping the skin before stinging.
•RIFA have two nodes located between the abdomen and thorax, characteristic of the genus.

General Information

The Red Imported Fire Ant is an introduced pest, arriving in Orange County sometime during the 1990s. A native of South America, the Fire Ant was first introduced in the southeastern United States and eventually found its way to California and into Orange County.

The colony or nest is very distinctive and easily recognized as a patch of loose granular soil that somewhat resembles a gopher mound but with soil granules similar to the size of coffee grounds.

The Red Imported Fire Ant is considered dangerous because, unlike most ants, this species delivers venomous stings that produce immediate pain, burning/itching sensation, and raised pustules that often last for several days.

The venom is relatively toxic and potentially lethal to pets, wildlife, and allergy/skin sensitive humans. Because of the number and severity of Fire Ant stings, residents of Orange County should be aware of the existence of this menace on their property and the potential hazards posed by accidental contact.

Where They Infest

The ants build mounds in almost any type of soil, but prefer open, sunny, irrigated areas such as pastures, parks, lawns, meadows, and cultivated fields.
Homes and Buildings – Fire Ants form colonies close to homes and other buildings. They sometimes forage indoors for food and moisture, particularly during the hot, dry summer months or climatic changes. Entire colonies occasionally nest in wall voids or rafters, sometimes moving into buildings during floods.
RIFA also nest under cracked pavement, removing dirt from underneath sidewalks and roadways, undermining and weakening structurals.
Home Gardens – The ants occasionally feed on vegetable plants in home gardens. The worst damage usually occurs during hot, dry weather. Ants may also be nuisance to gardeners during weeding and harvesting. Fire Ants invade compost piles and mulched flower beds seeking warmth and moisture.
Electrical Equipment and Utility Housing Like many other ants, Fire Ants are attracted to electric current and will infest electrical equipment. They chew on insulation and can cause short circuits or interfere with switching mechanisms.
Around Bodies of Water – Fire Ants require water to survive and are often found near creeks, run-off ditches, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water. If surface water is unavailable, they may tunnel many feet below the ground to reach the water table.

If you think you have
fire ants, let us know!