Two species of fire ants are found in Florida. Most notorious is Solenopsis invicta Buren, the red imported fire ant (RIFA), followed by the much less common S. geminata (Fabricius), the tropical or native fire ant. Other more common U.S. members of this genus include S. xyloni McCook, the southern fire ant; S. aurea Wheeler, found in western states; and S. richteri Forel, the black imported fire ant, confined to northeastern Mississippi and northwestern Alabama. 1
Below are links to several publications that will help you understand the fire ant problem in Florida, learn how to control them, and other interesting information. If your are looking for opportunities to learn more about urban pests and their management, check the SE Pest Management Conference website-SEPMC.
Take a look at a live video of fire ants invading a house UFPestCams.
Publications:
- Fire ant biology: Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta
- Fire ant control in lawns: Imported Fire Ants on Lawns and Turf
- Other pest ants in Florida: Ants
- Search through for publications from the University of Florida: EDIS- University of Florida
1 Online publication at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_in352