No one wants to deal with an ant outbreak on their property, let alone a fire ant problem. Every summer, fire ants come back in large numbers to enjoy the heat with us. Fire ants are distinguished from other ants by their threatening red color and their painful stinging power. Bites from these tiny pests cause swollen red bumps that itch and burn for days. Fire ants are good for controlling other pest populations that might be living on your property, but having too many around could leave you in constant fear of being stung.

Keep on reading to learn about the dangers of fire ants and how to tell them apart from other ants.

What Do Fire Ants Look Like?

It’s easy to confuse fire ants with red ants considering their names and their similar appearances. However, there are a few differences between fire ants vs red ants. Look for these features to make sure that you have fire ants:

Color: Fire ant workers are reddish-brown in color with darker abdomens.
Size: Averaging 1/8”–1/4” in length, fire ants are an average-sized ant. Their abdomens are large and bulbous.
Unique features: Fire ants have characteristic antennae that bend in the middle and have ribbed segments toward the end.

Are Fire Ants Dangerous?

We are lucky that fire ants prefer to build colonies outdoors instead of inside of our homes. However, if a fire ant colony grows to great numbers in your yard, their workers will spread out to areas that you and your family visit.

If they believe that their nest is under attack, fire ants will take whatever measures necessary to defend it. They will try to sting anyone who gets close to them, big or small. Many people believe that fire ants bite people, but they actually hold on to you with their strong mandibles to give themselves the leverage to dish out a strong sting. Their stinger injects venom that results in pinching, burning bite marks, and sometimes infection.

How to Deal with Fire Ants Safely

If you think that fire ants have started a colony in your yard, don’t let your curiosity get the best of you. Getting too close could lead you to multiple painful stings. Instead of trying to deal with it yourself, the safe bet is to contact your local pest control company. Our ant control specialists can take care of any species of ant using safe and trusted nest removal techniques. For a free quote on ant removal or to learn more about our services, contact us today!