Imported fire ants live in colonies in the soil. If a colony is flooded during a rainstorm or other high-water situation, the ants cling together and form a living raft that floats on the flood waters. Once the raft …
How do fire ants move from location to location? How far can they travel?
Fire ants spread by both natural and artificial means.
Artificial:
- Mated queens or colonies are transported via infested sod, hay, beehives, or nursery stock.
- Newly mated queens are transported by vehicles on which they’ve landed.
This is why certain materials …
How long do fire ants live?
Fire ant queens typically live 2-6 years (an average of about 3 years). The record longevity of a queen is 7 years. Males die a short time after they swarm and mate. Worker ants usually live 4-6 weeks after emerging …
Why do fire ants build mounds?
Fire ants use mounds to regulate temperature and moisture conditions in the colony. You may see mounds pop up in response to cooler weather or heavy rains. The mound is an above-ground nursery that provides optimal temperature and moisture …
Why do flying fire ants land in my swimming pool?
Flying ants are the male and female reproductives (alates) from the fire ant colony. Alates are ants with wings. After mating, the female reproductive becomes a new queen and will establish a new fire ant colony.
These winged fire ants …
Why do fire ants nest next to trees? And do they harm my trees?
Fire ants use trees as nesting places because little or no soil disturbance or mowing occurs around trees. Also moisture and food resources are plentiful on and around trees and shrubs.
Ants in mounds at the base of trees are …
How deep are fire ant colonies?
Fire ants live in an extensive network of tunnels in the soil. How deep this network extends into the ground depends on age and size of the colony, soil texture, and depth of the water table.
Tunnels in fire ant …