Previous Page<< Fire Ants in Phoenix
As mentioned on the previous page, even experts have a tough time distinguishing between 'good' red ants--the Southern Fire Ants--and 'bad' red ants--the Red Imported Fire Ant. Here are some facts to help you become more familiar with fire ants:
Fire Ants vs. Regular Ants
- Fire ants are between 1/16 to 1/4-inch in length. The biggest will be "soldier" ants, while the smaller ones are the "minor" ants.
- Fire ants are reddish-brown to black in color.
- Fire ant mounds or nests may be constructed under stones, boards, or other objects.
- Fire ants also nest in wood or the masonry of houses, especially around heat sources such as fireplaces.
- Fire ants enjoy warm climates.
- It is common for fire ants to sting children, typically on the lower extremities.
Red Imported Fire Ant vs. Southern Fire Ant
- Red Imported Fire Ants are very aggressive, readily attacking anything that disturbs them.
- Red Imported Fire Ants have a painful sting, causing blistering. The Southern Fire Ant typically has a relatively minor sting. Of course, just like bee stings, people can have allergic reactions to ant stings that may be more severe.
- Red Imported Fire Ant mounds are often large and easy to spot. A mound may be 18 inches high and 24 inches in diameter. They are dome-shaped. They do not have one central opening into the colony. An extensive tunneling system is present within the mound. Southern Fire Ant nest mounds are usually much smaller. There may even be no mound at all, but rather just a series of small dirt piles.
In Arizona, if you come across some fire ants, it is more likely that they will not be the more aggressive and dangerous Red Imported Fire Ants. They are probably our Southern Fire Ant that in most cases, won't cause much harm. Fire ants build mounds in sunny, open areas such as lawns, playgrounds, ball fields, parks, golf courses and along road shoulders. When it becomes very hot (or very cold) they may move indoors. If they concern you, your local exterminator can easily handle them.
There is some good news about fire ants: they are considered beneficial insects because they feed on other unwanted pests such as fleas, filth breeding flies, horn flies, boll weevils, sugarcane borer, ticks, and cockroaches.
If You Are Stung By Fire Ants
If you notice blistering occurring after being stung or after stepping on an ant mound, seek out medical advice. Some people experience an allergic reaction to a fire ant sting. Symptoms may include sweating, slurred speech, chest pain, shortness of breath, hives, swelling, nausea, vomiting, and/or shock. People exhibiting these symptoms after being stung by fire ants should get medical attention immediately. For more information you can contact the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222 or 520-626-6016.
The death of the infant in this case was a tragic aberration. I was unable to find any record of another death in Arizona resulting from stings of the Southern Fire Ant. You can be assured that the experts will perform their due diligence in the investigation. There's no reason at this time to believe that there is any epidemic or infestation of deadly fire ants in the Phoenix area.
Yes, we have scorpions and bees that sting. We have rattlers and spiders that bite. Add fire ants to our list of desert creatures that we need to understand.
Special thanks to Dale Ward of Tucson (Ants of Arizona)for his assistance with this feature.
