The Red Imported Fire Ant is an invasive species from South America that has spread across the southern United States and is notorious for its painful stings, which cause burning welts and can trigger severe allergic reactions. Large mound nests house colonies of hundreds of thousands of workers. They are highly opportunistic omnivores and serious agricultural and ecological pests.
Best time to see a Red Imported Fire Ant
The best time to see a Red Imported Fire Ant is January–May, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 22,259 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Red Imported Fire Ant? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Red Imported Fire Ant sightings near you
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