Fire Ants
Solenopsis invicta
General Information
Fire ants will sting anything that disturbs their colony. Their stings can be quite painful and may require medical attention, especially if you’re allergic. Help protect your family from these aggressive critters by learning more about them and finding out how to help get rid of fire ants in the house.
- Fire ants are usually 1/8 to 1/4-inch long and reddish-brown or black in color.
- They are sometimes called red ants or red imported fire ants (RIFA).
Size
Color
Bite or Sting
Wings
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- Fire ants generally build colonies outdoors in dome-shaped mounds that are often 1 to 2 inches in diameter.
- They will often kill the grass around their mounds.
- Not all outdoor mounds are visible. Some are built under rocks or wood laying on the ground.
- When the soil is moist and cool, outdoor fire ant colonies are located within a couple of feet of the soil surface. During dry periods, colonies may extend 5 or even 10 feet below the soil surface.
- After a heavy rain, many people observe new colonies. These could be new, but often they are just hidden colonies that are being re-opened after wet soil clogs the fire ant tunnels.
- Fire ants in the house are looking for food and moisture, which can be found in sinks, showers, leaky pipes, spills, etc.
- Fire ants especially likely to look for water in your home when it is hot and dry outside.
- Fire ants can bite you and your pets. They also have a stinger on their abdomen that they use to inject venom into anything that disturbs their colony.
- Their stings can be quite painful and multiple stings may require medical attention.
- Occasionally, their stings can cause a severe and possibly fatal allergic reaction in some people.
- Fire ants are a persistent problem in warmer climates because the ants routinely move their colonies into new locations in search of ample food and moisture.
- Fire ants build and follow trails. Look for these trails around foundations, baseboards, and other moist areas.
- Remove debris—such as wood, rocks, and stones—that is close to the foundation of your home where fire ants may build an invisible colony.
- Caulk any points where ants enter into wall voids, cracks, and crevices, including entry points from the outside to help prevent fire ants from coming in the house.
- Consider hiring a professional yard maintenance company to help you get rid of fire ants if there are too many mounds to handle yourself or if there is a medical reason to avoid stings.
- If you decide to treat your yard yourself, only use products labeled for use on fire ants and be sure to read and follow the instructions.
- Universities commonly recommend using a combination of residual sprays, mound treatments, and baits to help get rid of fire ants.
Solutions for Fire Ants
Raid® MAX Ant Specialist Killer Odourless delivers maximum protection against ants with instant knockdown action. Designed for heavy infestations, it kills ants on contact and helps provide extended control. A specialist crawling insect solution designed to target ants at the source, including hidden areas such as cracks, crevices, and under appliances, helping to control infestations effectively.
Highlights
- Kills ants instantly on contact
- Maximum protection for heavy infestations
- Helps provide control for up to 4 weeks*
- Flushes out hidden insects
- Odourless, water-based formulation
- Leaves no harsh smell
*on glass surfaces
Raid® Essentials Multi Insect Killer is designed to kill flying and crawling insects on contact. Its water-based, odourless formula delivers effective pest control without the irritating smell of kerosene or leaving an oily film, making it suitable for use in and around the home. Designed for use across multiple surfaces including carpets, draperies, no-wax floors, and outdoor areas such as gardens, terraces, and backyards, providing versatile insect control for everyday use.
Highlights
- Kills flying and crawling insects on contact.
- Water-based formulation.
- Odourless with no irritating kerosene smell.
- Leaves no oily film.
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
- May be sprayed onto plants and flowers; avoid over-saturation and test on a leaf first
Raid® Multi Insect Killer Eucalyptus kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its low odour formulation with eucalyptus scent makes it suitable for use in and around the home while delivering effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed to control a wide range of insects across different environments, including indoor areas and outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens, and picnic areas.
Highlights
- Fast killing action, effective with one direct spray
- Kills flying and crawling insects
- Low odour formulation with eucalyptus scent
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
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