Interesting Facts about the Fire Ant

June 10, 2016

Interesting Facts about the Fire Ant 

No matter where you live in the world chances are you have come across ants in your yard or home at one time or another. You would think ants are just ants and are no more than an annoyance. A little spray will take care of the problem. Maybe not so with the Fire Ant. Believe it or not they are one of the most destructive insects on the planet. There are four species of ants in the US but the red Fire Ant is the most common species and is domineering over the other species by interbreeding.

They are located primarily throughout the southern and southeastern United States but they have spread as far north as Maryland and as far west as California. Why are they more than just a pesky pest?

• When they bite a human there is a painful sting.
• They cause substantial crop and livestock losses.
• They are estimated to cost us over $750 million in damages a year.
• They are much more aggressive than a typical ant.

If a person happens to step on a mound in their yard the Fire Ant will viciously attack the target and to some humans the bites instead of just stinging can become infected and even leave scars.

Here is a little trick if you are up to it to distinguish if you are dealing with Fire Ants or some other type. If you find a mound out in the yard or elsewhere, take a stick and put it down the center of the mound then back away. If the ants scatter they are not fire ants because they are trying to protect the queen. But if they climb up the stick it is time to run like hell!

Ofcourse i dont reccomend disturbing an ants nest in any way - they are best left alone!

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