Fire Ant
The term fire ant is a common name for several species of ants in the genus Solenopsis. These ants are more aggressive in nature and can inflict a painful sting which results in painful welts and even pustules forming.
Their nests have mounds that reach up to 40 cm high while they are known to be detrimental to agriculture and a nuisance in urban environments.
Appearance
- Coppery-brown and black
- 3.2mm long
- 10 segment antennas with 2 segmented clubs
Habits
- Tend to build large mound nests that are flattened and irregular in shape.
- They can gain access to buildings through HVAC systems and AC units.
Life Cycle
- Larva hatch in 8–10 days, and the pupal stage lasts for 9–16 days.
- The first batch of larvae feed on secretions from the queen’s salivary glands and broken down wing muscles. Once they mature, the queen returns to egg laying—laying up to 1500 eggs per day.
- Fertile males are produced later in the season.
Signs of Infestation
- Look out for ant nest, which usually appear like a small pile of soil or dirty
- Regularly spotting individual ants in unconventional places, such as your bedroom or the bathroom
