NMCM All Things Family Blog

Although most fire ant species do not bother people and are not invasive due to biological factors, Solenopsis invicta, commonly known as the Red imported fire ant (or RIFA) is an invasive pest in many areas of the world, notably the United States, Australia, the Philippines, China and Taiwan. The RIFA was accidentally introduced into the United States due to a South American cargo ship coming to an Alabama port in 1918.

Red imported fire ants have both a pedicel and postpediole. In other words they belong to a group of ants that have two humps between the thorax and abdomen. The workers have ten antennal segments terminating in a two segmented club. It is often difficult to distinguish between the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta and the other species in the genus.

The red imported fire ant’s sting is a serious concern to people and their pets. Venom injected into the skin causes a burning sensation (hence the name “fire ant”). Both southern fire ants and red imported fire ants become very agitated when their nests are disturbed, but red imported fire ants are much more aggressive and can quickly climb onto the object or person causing the disturbance and begin stinging. A single red imported fire ant can bite and sting its victim repeatedly. Symptoms start as a burning and itching sensation followed by the formation of a white pustule, which takes several weeks to disappear. The pustules can become infected if not kept clean and may leave permanent scarring.

As red imported fire ants spread into more populated areas, more people are likely to be stung. Encounters with fire ants can be expected not only outdoors but indoors as well. In southern states foraging ants have invaded private residences and buildings such as offices, hospitals, and nursing homes. In these situations, fire ant control is more critical and potentially more difficult because of concerns related to both the ants and the indoor use of chemical insecticides.

One thing all the experts seem to agree on is that the red imported fire ant lives up to its Latin name, “invicta,” which means “invincible.” These fire ants never will be eradicated. If they are found in new areas, small infestations might be stopped, but as for total eradication in the U.S., it’s just not going to happen.

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Tags: Family

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