Fire Ants: Can We Just Get Rid of Them? Pretty Please?

Key Takeaways

• Invasions of aggressive fire ant are worse in Tucson than what homeowners believe. Fire ants adapt well to our desert climate, and present a long-lasting burden for homeowners.
• Fire ants (RIFA) may be mistaken for native red ants and harvester ants. Their aggressive swarming behavior is the telltale sign.
• Fire ant colonies can rapidly increase in size, whether in a desert or in an urban environment.
• You may have tried to get fire ants out of your yard yourself… and fail. Home remedies may work but only on small portions of a colony.
• Professional pest management use methods that incorporate selective baits, direct mound treatments, and integrated pest management tactics.
• Prevention is possible: Eliminate yard attractants, avoid over-watering. Get around your property often, with eyes wide open, to spot a problem early.

Fire ants need little introduction. These little small, reddish-brown guys create conspicuous, loose-soiled mounds in our yards. Most commonly identified by ther painful, swelling sting, they are easy to spot after a monsoon and in irrigated areas.

In this article, we pass along what we have learned in our years of experience treating fire ant colonies.

Fire Ants vs. Other Red Ants

For those of us who live in Tucson and southwards, in our Sonoran Desert, fire ants have become a common presence. Their detestable presence is not some amusing oddity of the natural world: it is largely due to their capacity to adapt to our hot, arid climate. In other words, our local weather lures them in fast.

And believe us, they are skilled invaders. They move quickly (and sometimes noticeably), appearing overnight in our yards, parks, and even next to our local businesses.

To control infestations successfully, you need to know what sets them apart. You need to learn what they look like, and how they differ from the native red ants that have always lived in our desert ecosystem.

Defining the Fiery Invader

Native to South America, fire ants are members of the Solenopsis family, a large diverse group with nearly 300 described species worldwide. Most of them don’t annoy anyone, but the few that do are a major pain in our rear-end.

In Tucson, we see three main types: the Southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni), the Desert fire ant (Solenopsis aurea), and the Solenopsis amblychila. The Southern fire ant is the one most likely to show up around our homes.

This species is designed to invade. It constructs large colonies underground, typically under rocks, along sidewalks, or at the base of trees. Their colonies can reach up to 500,000 workers. Once they have moved in, they don’t leave. Fire ants are social insects: they act together, in full cooperation, to forage for food, raise their young, and protect their nest.

Key Physical Identifiers

Fire ants are very small, generally about one-eighth to one-quarter inch long. Their color ranges from reddish-brown to nearly golden with a darker underside.

One easily recognizable characteristic is their distinctive two-segmented waist, which distinguishes them from a few of our native ants.

When disturbed, fire ants are notorious for rapidly and aggressively attacking—swarming over a hand, foot, or any other object nearby.

Their mounds look loose and fluffy, sometimes with no clear entrance hole on top. You can often spot them in sunny, open areas.

Native Red Ants vs. Invasive Fire Ants

Native red ants and fire ants are similar in appearance, and it is pretty easy to confuse native red ants with fire ants. Native red ants, such as the harvester ant, are generally larger.

Their mounds will usually be distinct with a flat entrance. Fire ants construct less easily detectable nests but aggressively swarm intruders with alarming quickness. Urban landscapes are the bread and butter of invasive fire ants.

They are a danger to families, pets, and anyone who likes to be outside. Drench a mound with boiling water and you can kill 60% of the colonies. You would need to do continuous treatment to ensure they don’t return permanently.

A Unique Ant Challenge in Tucson

As Tucsonans, we found ourselves on the front lines of quite a few unique ant species. These ants have a profound impact on our residential neighborhoods and the undeveloped lands right next door.

Each species comes with its own habits and risks. Some, such as the Argentine ant, flourish by establishing massive super-colonies that run rampant from yard to yard and street to street. Others, like fire ants, are a much more immediate threat to humans and pets.

What makes the ant problem stand out in Tucson is not just the number of species but how well these insects use our desert climate, urban growth, and local resources to spread and survive. Check out these little borgs!

Does our Arizona Climate Favor Ants?

Most ants tolerate warm weather relatively well. Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) show heat stress at sustained temperatures above 95°F, particularly if humidity is low. This is why fire ants don’t typically forage during the hottest part of the day. They rely on moist soil and shaded areas to regulate colony temperature, and surface activity drops when exposed to direct desert sun.

Many ant species—including Argentine ants and Forelius spp.—remain active year-round in regions with mild winters. As for fire ants, their surface foraging decreases during extreme heat, but colony-level activity continues underground.

Monsoon rains often trigger nuptial flights for reproductive ants. In many species (especially Argentine and fire ants), new queens take advantage of moist soil and increased humidity to form new nests. While extreme flooding can kill some colonies, ants often retreat vertically or relocate rapidly.

In suitable conditions — like irrigated soil or post-monsoon moisture — Argentine ants expand quickly and recruit heavily to food sources. These warm and wet conditions create a perfect storm that allows ants to thrive.

Our Arizona climate is relatively hospitable to fire ants and other species, but not extremely favorable. But as long as there are monsoons and humidity in the soil, they can survive pretty well here.

Surviving Desert Heat

Ants have amazing specializations to avoid the scorching desert sun. They excavate deep nests that cool their home and protect them from the hottest hours of the day. Fire ants cooperate to shield their queen and their brood from the heat with an insulating ball of bodies.

They also seal up channels or relocate their brood in response to external heat extremes. They sometimes nest under rock features, sidewalks, or around water sources such as irrigation lines. This clever combination of shade and moisture allows them to endure and thrive even during the most brutal midsummer months.

Urban Sprawl and Ant Colonization

As Tucson has undergone rapid growth in recent years, we have noticed an increase in ant infestations in residential and commercial structures. New real-estate developments bring not just increased water runoff and additional food scraps, but more potential refuges for ants to take cover.

Fire ants and Argentine ants just waltz right in, creating nests from mixed lawns, home foundations, even irrigation lines. Nearly 4 out of 5 homes in Tucson will experience an invasion of these ants at some point in time. As our city continues to expand, we’re providing these species with more opportunities to establish.

Impact on Local Biodiversity

Ants impact on our world in both positive and negative ways. They provide effective pest control, waste breakdown and other ecological benefits. Species that go after other insects and small animals can become problematic.

Invasive fire ants, for instance, can displace native ants and cause mortality to ground-nesting birds or reptiles. Argentine ants are notably aggressive and will quickly invade and displace other insects from a newly colonized space.

In addition to altering the natural balance of our local ecosystem, these ants can even erode infrastructure, including plants and buildings. We understand the importance of effective pest control that keeps both residents and our fragile desert ecosystem safe.

Identifying Local Ant Invaders

Knowing who our ant neighbors are helps us respond quickly and wisely. With as many “bad guys” around us, it is best to be able to identify the threat before they move in.

Let’s take a closer look at what differentiates the major ant invaders.

1. Recognizing Fire Ant Mounds

Fire ants, particularly the southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni), create mounds that are very loose, fluffy and easily disturbed. These mounds can appear in yards, gardens, beside driveways, or along the edges of patios. The soil looks like it was spread by hand—no neat hole in the middle… just a doggy dump.

Occasionally, you will come across them in woodpiles or under the base of tree trunks. Different from most of our local ants, fire ant mounds become noticeable after rainfall or in areas that are watered regularly. They may be no bigger than a golf ball or be as big as a dinner plate.

Don’t step on these.

2. Observing Aggressive Swarming Behavior

Fire ants are known for their speedy, furious, aggressive attacks. When you disturb their mound, they pour out in massive droves in seconds flat. This kind of swarming is very different from the slow, orderly, single-file procession of the rest of our local ant invaders.

Fire ants don’t only bite—they sting, and they continue to sting. Since we tend to be active mostly during the day, yard work conducted during daytime hours poses the greatest risk. Bless our construction and city workers.

3. Differentiating Fire Ant Stings

Fire ant stings are often unusually painful. Quick, sharp, burning pain is followed quickly by a red welt with a white blister in the center. Itches can even linger beyond a day.

It’s estimated that 90% of individuals react quickly: most people will experience it almost immediately. In rare cases, ant venom can induce anaphylaxis and other serious allergic reactions. For dogs and cats, just one sting may result in limping or licking at the site of the sting.

4. Telling Fire Ants from Harvester Ants

We discussed the physical characteristics of fire ants earlier. They are reddish-brown, small, and very fast. Harvester ants are larger, do not scurry about as quickly, and are dressed in a drab red. If you see a nest with a clear wide bare patch around it, you probably deal with harvester ants. They rarely invade homes.

5. Spotting Other Common Tucson Ants

Argentine ants march in long, thin files from your kitchen or bathroom to the dispersing nests they established outdoors. These invasive ants are tiny, light brown in color, and operate in large cooperative super-colonies.

Though they don’t sting, they invade homes in droves and can be hard to fight off. These distinctions allow us to select the most effective treatment and protect you from whatever species is active in your yard or your home.

Fire Ant Colonies: A Deep Dive

Red Imported Fire Ants have made themselves at home in Tucson. Their colonies dictate a large part of our pest control scene. We know what their mounds look like and where to find them. In passing, we have seen some mounds rise to 18 inches!

These mounds are so distinctive in the desert that they are good indicators of a deep-rooted colony.

Nesting Habits in Sonoran Soil

The loose, sandy soil of Southern Arizona help fire ants dig deep and wide. They prefer open areas that receive full sunlight, away from heavy shade and dense undergrowth. Their mounds almost always lack a hole on top.

Instead, workers leave and enter via side tunnels. This engineering is protective: it makes the nest nearly impossible to detect. In Tucson, it is not uncommon to find 300 mounds per acre, each mound containing an average of 250,000 ants in a dense cluster.

These colonies lay exclusive and defensive claim to many acres of territory, preventing other ants from settling there. Their nests are not just dirt piles, but a network of chambers and tunnels that keep the colony cool and safe.

Rapid Reproduction Cycle Explained

Fire ants reproduce quickly. During the summer months, their egg-to-adult cycle can take as little as 30 days. The queen is prolific; she can lay as many as 1,500 eggs per day. The workers tend to them with great diligence.

When you feed it and give it warmth, that little pile can turn into a huge menace in no time. It can change quickly in a very short time. Often way faster than our clients can keep up with them.

Even after pouring hot water or using growth regulators like Extinguish or Esteem, new ants show up after the next rain or within a year. Their rapid rebound is a major hurdle.

The Queen’s Central Role

At the center of every mound is the queen—only one per colony. She produces every egg, and every other member of the colony relies on her. The workers take care of her, feed her, clean her, and if there is danger, move her to safety.

If the queen dies, the mound is doomed. Formulations that kill the queen are essential, but with the tunnels so deep, this is a challenge. The queen’s job is clear: keep the colony alive and growing, year after year, even after monsoons, flash floods, or treatments.

Infestations: Risks and Impacts

As pest control specialists, we experience firsthand the very critical issues that fire ant infestations pose to residences, recreational grounds and agricultural extensions. Since the 1930s, these pests, especially the Red Imported Fire Ant, have quickly invaded and established themselves in 14 states.

They are now starting to show up in faraway places (Australia, East Asia). Their spread comes with significant risks and impacts. It underscores the ease with which these ants move with cargo and soil. The fact is that our Southern Arizona border communities are under constant attack.

Public Health: Painful Stings Explained

Fire ants’ envenomation inflicts immediate pain, swelling, and red papules that develop into vesicles (the white head over the red pimple). For most of us, these symptoms are resolved within a few hours.

However, about 20% of stings result in large local reactions, with swelling extending beyond the site of the sting. And 0.5% to 2% of the population has severe allergic reactions to fire ant bite. These go from localized hives to systemic issues such as respiratory distress and anaphylaxis.

In 1995 in the southeastern U.S., an estimated 200,000 people required professional medical assistance for an infestation. Each year it seems like there is a new study that finds some new allergy. Shockingly, 64% of these reactions are systemic, affecting four out of every 100,000 people.

Dangers for Pets and Livestock

Fire ants threaten our pets and livestock as well. Dogs and cats may be stung on the pads of their feet, around their noses, and their bellies when playing or lounging in the grass.

Livestock, such as calves or horses, can be mobbed while lying down or feeding. Young or previously compromised animals can be stung multiple times at once, and experience excessive swelling and pain.

Some animals develop allergic reactions, much like humans. Areas where farm equipment, feed, and water sources are located in proximity to nests can turn into fatal funnels.

Damage to Property and Equipment

Fire ants are known to nest in electrical boxes and swarm circuit boards, causing short circuits and equipment failure. Crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) — especially in southern states, have caused extensive damage invading electrical equipment. Damage often occurs from shorting, corrosion, or overheating.

Ants are attracted to moisture in irrigation systems. Nests located near valve boxes, emitters, or pump intakes can create clogs (from dirt and debris), valve malfunctions (due to mechanical interference or corrosion), and pump overheating and failure (when intake flow is blocked by debris).

We often find fire ants and pavement ants in irrigation boxes.

Ecological Disruption

Fire ants outcompete native ants and throw the ecosystems of our desert landscapes out of whack. Birds, reptiles, and small terrestrial vertebrates find less food available, and their nests are attacked more.

Why DIY Fire Ant Control Fails

DIY fire ant control may seem simple, but the truth is: not even close! Fire ants burrow their colonies deep and wide, making them hard to find and hard to eliminate.

Most Tucson homeowners who attempt DIY pest control don’t realize their backyard has a colony infestation until it’s too late. In our experience after treating hundreds of yards and businesses across the Tucson metro area, quick fixes don’t solve the root problem. Rather, they provide an illusion of safety while the invasion continues to expand below the radar.

It is Difficult to Kill a Full Colony

A fire ant mound is just the beginning of the issue. The center of the colony, where the queen resides, is located far underground, often more than a foot deep. Typical folk cures (from aspartame to molasses) have no demonstrable impact on these colonies.

Some people on YouTube tried various other treatments: coffee grounds, baking soda, even plaster of Paris. But to no avail. Some ants take the hit, but the whole colony lives on unscathed. Likewise, diatomaceous earth only kills ants that come into contact with it. Salt does not work. Club soda, bleach, and ammonia do nothing to kill the foraging ants or the queen.

If you pour boiling water directly on top of the mound, it will sure kill the ants that come into contact with it. If you mix soap in it, that is even more efficient… for the section of the colony that’s close to the opening.

EPA-registered insecticidal soaps don’t work very well either. First, fire ants are not on the labels of these soaps, so there is not much use in trying them on fire ants. Also, the effectiveness of these soaps stops once they dry.

As long as you only treat the tip of the iceberg, the queen and many of the workers retreat in the depths of the colony, poised to rebuild. These ants continue to burrow down or laterally, creating new mounds. No home remedy can get to the queen, and until you kill her, the whole colony will keep returning.

Effective Fire Ant Management Strategies

After inspecting your property for potential attractants, our fire ant exterminators create a tailored plan of action that fits the layout and requirements of your land.

Baiting Systems

Baiting is the foundation of any strategy aiming at long-term consistent results. We will typically apply baits that contain IGRs (e.g. Distance) which prevent new ants from developing.

We deploy the baits at a rate of 1.5 pounds per acre, or around 20 bait granules per square foot. At this rate the baits do a fine job. We broadcast bait to match the spread pattern to the property size and ant activity.

Timing plays an important role. We choose days when ants are actively foraging, so they carry the bait back to the colony.

Direct Mound Treatments

When we locate active mounds near residences, we prefer spot treatments directly on the colony. We choose products that act quickly but decompose safely. This enables us to achieve quick knockdown and protect the environment. Besides, mound-drenching is a very effective technique when applied in conjunction with baiting. This is a one-two punch: it takes out both the workers and the queen.

The IPM Approach

The Integrated Pest Management approach considers fire ants from all angles. We begin by eliminating food sources for the ants—open food, leaking irrigation, clutter in the yard.

Then we implement both the chemical and non-chemical options, monitoring results and adapting as necessary.

In addition to these barriers, we give advice to homeowners so that they develop fire ant-repelling habits, such as picking up after their pets and caulking foundation wall cracks.

Sustainable and Biological Controls

As professional pest control specialists, we are entrusted with the well-being of our Arizonan environment. So, we also carry field tests on baits and mound treatments that use safer chemicals. Sometimes, we go all-out organic and use natural agents such as nematodes or fungus that specifically target ants.

These tactics go together with our mandate to preserve our irreplaceable desert ecology, while preventing spillover impacts — while getting the job done.

Natural Predators: Nature’s Helpers?

We look for local controls, such as birds or spiders, that might help control ant populations. However, in most situations, you can’t rely on natural predators to eradicate a large infestation.

Ant predators are part of the holistic view. They combine with our principal arsenal of tools to provide strong treatment synergies.

Preventing Fire Ant Invasions

According to field research, some 50% of properties in the state of Arizona will deal with infestations of fire ants at one time or another. In this context, continued prevention truly goes a long way. Prevention is smarter, too — safer for our families and pets than quick-fix chemicals.

Here are some simple methods we can use to prevent fire ants from taking over.

Manage Landscape Attractants

Our yards provide the food, shelter, and moist conditions that attract fire ants. Make sure to keep mulch, wood piles, tree branches, and the like away from the foundation of your home. Don’t stack up yard waste or leave pet food out.

Fire ants love areas that have ground cover. Look for decaying fruit on the ground underneath trees or open garbage cans: ants will exploit a food source that is easy to access.

Remove some of these attractants, this will reduce your property’s attractiveness to ant colonies.

Practice Smart Water Usage

Either too little or too much water in the yard is beneficial to fire ants. We repair leaky spigots, hoses, and irrigation lines immediately. We only irrigate when necessary, because waterlogged areas are an invitation for fire ants to create mounds.

We ensure gutters and downspouts direct water away from the foundation of the home. Basic practices, such as avoiding needless over-watering of flower beds, can stop ants from creating homes near our residences.

Regular Property Inspections

Try to walk your property at least a couple times a week. Check for fire ant mounds and foraging trails. Mounds can suddenly appear in sunny, bare soil or out of sight under patios and sidewalks.

Monitor your yard in particular following monsoons: new nests may spring up overnight. These steps will help reducing future fire ant invasions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some key facts about the queen of fire ants?

Fire ant queens can live up to 7 years and lay up to 1,600 eggs daily, sustaining colonies of up to 250,000 workers.

Why does it hurt when fire ants bite?

Fire ants inject venom containing alkaloids and proteins, causing a burning sensation and inflammation.

What do fire ant bites look like?

Bites appear as red, swollen spots that may develop into itchy, pus-filled blisters.

What are the main differences between fire ants and red ants?

Fire ants are smaller, have two petioles (waist segments), and are more aggressive than typical red ants.

Are there species of fire ants specific to Arizona?

Yes, Arizona hosts species like Solenopsis xyloni, S. amblychila, and S. aurea.

How dangerous are fire ant bites for humans?

Bites can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in sensitive individuals.

How dangerous are fire ant bites for pets?

Pets, especially small ones, can suffer severe reactions or death from multiple stings.

How to treat fire ant bites?

Wash with soap and water, apply cold compresses, and use antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream.

What can relieve the pain of fire ant bites?

Cold compresses, antihistamines, and topical steroids can alleviate pain and itching.

What are the natural predators of fire ants?

Phorid flies (Pseudacteon spp.) are natural enemies, parasitizing fire ants.

What are the different species of fire ants?

Notable species include Red Imported Fire Ant (S. invicta) and Southern Fire Ant (S. xyloni).

How deep do fire ants bury their colonies on average?

Colonies can extend over 10 feet deep, depending on soil conditions.

How wide is a typical fire ant colony?

Mounds can reach up to 18 inches in diameter, with underground tunnels extending much further.

Can baking soda get rid of fire ants?

Baking soda may kill some ants when ingested, but it’s not a reliable eradication method.

Can boiling water get rid of fire ants?

Pouring boiling water can kill surface ants but often doesn’t reach the queen; effectiveness is about 60%.

Are there natural repellents for fire ants?

Natural repellents like citrus oil may deter ants but are less effective than chemical treatments.