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Red Imported Fire Ant

Solenopsis invicta

Venomous / dangerousCommon

Quick answer

Painful stings in swarms; some people react badly. Safety level: Venomous / dangerous.

How to identify the Red Imported Fire Ant

Small reddish-brown ants with darker abdomens, ranging from 2 to 6 mm in the same colony.
They build dome-shaped mounds of loose soil with no central opening, often in sunny lawns and fields.
When the mound is disturbed, hundreds of ants pour out quickly and climb on anything nearby.
Size: 2–6 mm.

Where it lives

Native to South America and invasive in the southern United States, the Caribbean, China, Taiwan and Australia. It prefers open, sunny ground: lawns, parks, roadsides and farmland.

Is it dangerous?

Fire ants grip the skin and sting repeatedly, causing burning pain. Within a day small white blisters often form. Most people recover in about a week, but some have a serious allergic reaction, and many stings at once are dangerous for babies, older adults and pets.

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Children and pets

Keep children and pets away from mounds.

What to do

Don't stand on or disturb the mound.
Wash stings with soap and water.
Get help fast if someone swells or struggles to breathe.

Fun fact

Fire ants link their bodies to form rafts that float on floods.

⚠ Call emergency services straight away for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a scorpion sting in a child. This page is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do after fire ant stings?

Move away from the mound, brush ants off, wash with soap and water and use a cold pack. Do not pop the blisters.

When are fire ant stings an emergency?

Get help at once for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a very large number of stings.

How do I get rid of a fire ant mound?

Use baits labelled for fire ants or call a pest professional. Do not disturb the mound with bare hands or feet.