The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) commonly called Fire Ants may look small and harmless, but as anyone living in the southern United States from Mobile, Alabama where the fire ant first entered the US in 1930 to California knows, they do carry a major punch. Over 40 million people live in RIFA-infested areas in the United States. Between 30% and 60% of the people living in fire ant infested areas are stung each year. The FDA estimates that more than $5 billion is spent annually on medical treatment, damage, and control in RIFA-infested areas.
A bite the size of a pinhead can result in a painful, itching sore for days. Unlike many other ants, which bite and then spray acid on the wound, fire ants only bite to get a grip and then sting (from the abdomen) and inject a toxic alkaloid venom called Solenopsin. For humans, this is a painful sting, a sensation similar to what one feels when burned by fire-hence the name fire ant-and the after effects of the sting can be deadly to sensitive individuals. The venom is both insecticidal and antibiotic. A typical fire ant colony produces large mounds in open areas, and feeds mostly on young plants, seeds, and sometimes crickets. However, Fire Ants often attack and kill small animals.
Flaming Facts About Fire Ants:
- Fire Ants can vary in size within one nest, from 1/16 to 1/5 inch long
- Mounds can be more than 15 inches high
- Very aggressive; agitated when disturbed
- Inflict a fiery sting; more than 10 million Americans are stung every year
- The Queen capable of producing as many as 1,500 eggs/day and lives for 2-7 years
- Mature colony contains up to 400,000 worker ants
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