Skip to main content
Customize by ZIP Code

User account menu

  • HELP CENTER
Menu Search
Home Home
Ortho

Main Navigation (US)

  • Bugs

    • Products

    • Essential Oils

    • Tips & Solutions

    • Featured Products

      Ortho® BugClear™ Insect Killer for Lawns & Landscapes Ready-to-Spray Front
      Ortho® BugClear™ Insect Killer for Lawns & Landscapes Ready-to-Spray
      Ortho® Home Defense® Max Indoor Insect Barrier with Extended Reach Comfort Wand® Front
      Ortho® Home Defense Max® Indoor Insect Barrier with Extended Reach Comfort Wand®
    • Featured Articles

      House fly sitting on a table.
      How to Get Rid of Bugs Indoors
      Modern kitchen with white cabinets and an ant infestation.
      How to Get Rid of Ants in the Kitchen
  • Garden

    • Products

    • Tips & Solutions

    • Featured Products

      Ortho® Dial N Spray® Hose End Sprayer
      Ortho® Dial N Spray® Hose End Sprayer
      Front of package
      Ortho® MAX® Garden Disease Control Concentrate
    • Featured Articles

      Yellow Lady Bug on Leaf
      Vegetable Garden Pests
      Large spider on a spider-web.
      The Benefits of Spiders in the Garden
  • Weeds

    • Products

    • Tips & Solutions

    • Featured Products

      Ortho® GroundClear® Super Weed & Grass Killer1
      Ortho® GroundClear® Super Weed & Grass Killer<sub>1</sub>
      Front of packaging
      Ortho® WeedClear™ Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Use with Comfort Wand
    • Featured Articles

      Dandelions growing in a field.
      Dandelions
      Landscape with mulch, pink flowers, grass, and a hardscape.
      6 Tips for a Weed-Free Landscape
  • Pollinator Promise

  • Purpose

  • Help Center

Search

Free shipping on all orders over $35!

weed control ortho

Insects

How to Identify & Control Fire Ants

Fire ants are a dreaded problem because of their aggressive nature and painful bite. Learn how to identify and control them.

Fire ant mound in a field.

In general, ants are a nuisance, but some species are more than mere pests. Fire ants, found throughout western and southern parts of the U.S., are a particular problem because of their painful bites and stings. These ants will aggressively protect their mounds by attacking interlopers who either deliberately or accidentally disturb the mound. The following information can help you identify these insects and take steps to effectively remove them from your yard.

HOW TO DEAL WITH FIRE ANTS Main Image

Identifying Fire Ants

Although multiple fire ant species exist, arguably, the most impactful species of fire ant in the United States is the invasive red imported fire ant (RIFA). The queen and worker RIFAs have a reddish-brown head and thorax with a black rear segment (although there may be variations in color). Male swarmers are completely black. Workers are polymorphic (meaning they vary in size), ranging from 1/16-1/4 inch in length. Fire ant workers have a venom-injecting stinger as well as mandibles used for biting.

fire ant

One way to distinguish fire ants from other red ants is that they have a 2-segmented pedicel, which looks like two bumps on the ‘waist’ of the ant—the area between the thorax and abdomen. Their thorax lacks spines, and they also have 10 distinct antennal segments with a 2-segmented club at the ends.

fire ant mound

What Is The Habitat of a Fire Ant?

Many people are able to identify fire ants by spotting their telltale mounds. These ants are typically ground-nesting and will build their mounds in virtually any kind of soil, but tend to prefer sunny locations that include lawns, fields, and pastures. Mature mounds are, on average, 10-24 inches across and 6-18 inches high but may be larger or smaller. There is a tendency for fire ants to build mounds near driveways and sidewalks that absorb and give off heat. People have also spotted their mounds in rotting logs, near trees, and even beneath buildings. However, a lack of mounds does not mean that there are no fire ants present. Fire ants also create an elaborate underground tunnel system that can extend up to 25 feet away from a mound. A large colony can have as many as 250,000 worker ants that are well known for their active and aggressive natures; however, the average fire ant colony typically consists of around 80,000 workers.

During hurricanes or other flooding, fire ants will often be forced to leave their nests to look for dry land. To do that, they will form living rafts that drift on the water until the ants reach a landing spot, such as a tree trunk or the foundation of your house. They may even come inside the house to search for food.

What Do Fire Ants Eat?

Fire ants prefer foods with high protein content, but will feed on almost anything, including plants and animals. They tend to feed on insects, young tree bark, seeds, and prefer oily meat or nuts. These ants will also dine on carrion (dead, decaying animals) that they happen to locate when foraging.

Are Fire Ants Dangerous?

While a single sting for most people and pets is bothersome and painful, it is more common to be stung multiple times by multiple ants. Most of these attacks occur when the ants' mound is disturbed. Hundreds of ants can sting multiple times during a single attack which can lead to severe reactions even those with a strong immune system. If a person experiences a serious reaction, like nausea, sweating, or shortness of breath, as the result of a fire ant sting, they should seek immediate medical care. A very small percentage of people in the U.S. (approximately 1-2%) are at risk for anaphylaxis if stung by fire ants. The key to avoiding being stung outdoors is to be vigilant in areas where they are likely to be present, and to watch where you step in order to avoid disturbing the nest.

How Do I Get Rid of Fire Ants?

If you spot fire ant mounds in your yard, you should take a 2-step approach to killing them. First, apply Ortho® Orthene® Fire Ant Killer1 or Ortho® Fire Ant Killer Mound Bait to the mounds you see around your yard, following label directions. Then, apply Ortho® Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules as a broadcast treatment over your entire lawn. This will keep new fire ant mounds from forming for up to 6 months. If you live in an area prone to fire ants, continue to routinely inspect the perimeter of your home and your entire yard for signs of invasion.

Do Fire Ants Get Inside Homes?

Fire ants can get into the home just like other ants do. They may create nests that put them close to foundation cracks, for instance. They may also enter through HVAC units, typically after being displaced following rain or flooding. They may also access the home via electrical boxes.

One way to help prevent these pests from getting into your home is by caulking cracks and holes. You can also create a barrier around your home with Ortho® Home Defense® Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2. If the fire ants are already nesting in your home, kill them with Ortho® Home Defense® Ant, Roach & Spider Killer2 or Ortho® Home Defense® Insect Killer for Cracks & Crevices.

Ortho® Orthene® Fire Ant Killer
Ortho® Orthene® Fire Ant Killer1
Learn More
Ortho® Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules
Ortho® Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules
Learn More

Related Articles

Whether you are just starting out, maintaining or troubleshooting, you'll find advice and answers here for all your insect and weed control needs.

ant - thumbnail
Related Article
How to Identify & Control Different Types of Ants

A guide to ants found throughout the United States.

Learn More
Swarm of mosquitoes outside.
Related Article
How to Deal with Insects After a Storm

Strong rain storms are often followed by an increase in insect pests. Here’s why—and what to do about it.

Learn More
2022-07-05
2022-07-05
Ortho
135
81
/en-us/library/insects/how-identify-control-fire-ants
https://www.ortho.com/sites/g/files/oydgjc116/files/styles/large/public/asset_images/iStock-538558434_2048x682.jpg?itok=zY2y0fGM
STILL NEED HELP?
TWEET US
LIVE CHAT
EMAIL US

Home

© 2022 The Scotts Company LLC. World rights reserved.

Ortho Family

  • Careers
  • Our Brands
  • Scotts Miracle-Gro

Resources

  • Check Order Status
  • Return Policy
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Notice
  • About Cookies
  • About Interest Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Contact Us
  • Investor Relations
  • Site Map
  • Responsible Bug Disclosure Program

Connect

  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
  • Our Brands
  • Investor Relations
  • Careers