FIRE ANTS IN FLORIDA
THE LITTLE FIRE ANT
The Little Fire Ant gets its name from its very painful sting. However, it is not closely related to the true fire ants which belong to the group of fire ants from Central and South America. Here in Florida it is located in Central and South Florida. These ants do not seem to form definite underground nests but instead appear in clusters beneath objects and in crack and crevices. New colonies are started by budding where workers and inseminated females leave the parent colony and wander off, but remain part of the super colony. Little Fire Ants tend to eliminate competitive ant species within their territory. The Little Fire Ant is less aggressive than The Native Fire Ant or The Imported Fire Ant. They may be crawling on you for some time without being disturbed or stinging. Since they do not have distinctive mounds a person may not realize they are standing in a Little Fire Ant area and be stung without warning. The Little Fire Ant is recognized by its light to golden brown color with the abdomen slightly darker. It has a pair of spines on its pedicel instead of a distinctive node. It also has very large mandibles, a robust body for its size, and a stinger at the end of the gaster.
THE NATIVE FIRE ANT
The Native Fire Ant or sometimes call the Southern Fire Ant was the original fire ant to the South and Florida for years. It nests in the ground but does not build the large mounds like the red imported fire ants does. The Native Fire Ant is less aggressive than its exotic sister the red imported fire ant. This ant builds mounds that are irregular craters consisting of scattered soil with multiple, obscure entrances. These nests are in the open under objects such as boards and stones, sand sometimes in woodwork or masonry. A person may not be aware that they are standing in a Native Fire Ant area and have Native Fire Ants on them before they realize the stinging. The Native Fire Ant is omnivorous with a distinct preference for oily meat and nuts and other high protein foods. They will chew on clothing, kill young poultry, feed on various plants and seeds, gnaw into vegetables and fruits, and remove the rubber insulation from around telephones wires. These ants are recognized by their body color is highly variable with the head and thorax yellowish red and the gaster dark. Some eastern forms have a brownish to black head and thorax. They have a two segmented petiole instead of a node, and a stinger at the end of the gaster. The larger mandible and clypeus has two distinct teeth on their robust body.
THE IMPORTED FIRE ANT
The Imported Fire Ant is the most aggressive fire ant for its sting and destruction of property. This ant is found from Southern Florida west to Texas and as far north as Virginia. The Imported Fire Ant has an omnivorous diet and opportunistic feeding habits, and they feed on any plant or animal they encounter. In heavy infestations coexisting species of ants other invertebrates and vertebrates suffer and are sometimes eliminated. The Red Imported fire ant has been known to kill live stock, like cows out in a pasture. The painful sting which they are able to inflict in unison after crawling up the legs of an unwitting victim is the basis of their reputation. The venom of the Red Imported Fire Ant contains piperidines, which cause a burning sensation, and proteins, which can cause life threatening anaphylactic shock in a small percentage of the population. The Red Imported Fire Ant is recognized by its body color is an almost uniform dark reddish brown. They are 1/8 to 1/4 inch long and have a two segmented petiole and a stinger at the end of the gaster. The large mandibles and clypeus has three distinctive teeth on their robust body.
There is no reason to be suffering from annoying biting insects any longer. Protect your family and friends from Fire Ants that are around or near your home or business. Choose one of these convenient methods to eliminate Fire Ants around your home.
If you live in Naples, Fort Myers, or anywhere in Southwest Florida call 239-455-4300 Collier Pest Control, Southwest Florida's Pest Authority, today for a free estimate and a complete explanation on any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com. Don't let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle. Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!
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