Fire ants can’t survive for prolonged periods in conditions that freeze soil as deep as they are nesting. The northern boundaries of fire ant infestation are estimated to be areas with a minimum temperature of 10 degrees F.
Fire ants may find warmer microhabitats such as curbs that act as heat sinks or indoor plant courts, which allow them to survive farther north than predicted.
To see where fire ants may live in the United States, visit Geographic Distribution of Fire Ants.
Related Content
- Imported Fire Ant Range Studies
- Will a hard winter kill imported fire ants?
- Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas
Find more information about fire ants in eXtension’s Imported Fire Ant Resource Area.
