(RED) FIRE ANTS
(sp. Solenopsis invicta Buren)
Fire ants arrived in North America (Mobile, Alabama) in 1929 aboard a cargo
ship that had used South American dirt
for a ballast.
About 5 million people are stung each
year in the southeastern U.S. alone, of
which 25,000 seek medical attention/
consultation.
Fire ants currently occupy over 300 million acres of U.S. soil. If their rate of
growth continues as such, they should
cover the entire continental U.S. in less
than 700 years.
LORE: Fire Ant Dens can be 10 ft. deep,
and the Queen Fire Ant can live for up
to 7 years. In contrast, worker Fire
Ants live only 4 to 6 weeks.
Also, they’re omnivorous - they eat
everything, and they’re considered agressive.
It is notable that pastures infested with Fire Ants
seem to have fewer Ticks, and that’s why the preditory nature of the Fire Ant has been appreciated by
Cotton and Sugarcane Farmers.
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LORE: Fire Ants bite to get a good
grip before stinging from their abdomen, releasing a toxic alkaloid
into its victim - note the postules
in the picture to the left - which is
rarely a serious danger to humans,
but there are some people who are
allergic. If you suspect any allergic
reaction from Fire Ant stings, seek
medical attention immediately!