The Complete Guide to Red Ants

Red ants are a common ant species found across many parts of the world Though small, these ants can have a big impact due to their painful stings and destructive behavior. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of red ants, including their identification, behavior, habitats, sting treatment, and control methods

What are Red Ants?

Red ants belong to the genus Solenopsis, which contains over 200 species worldwide. They are identified by their coppery red or orange coloration. Some of the most common red ant species in the United States include the southern fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni), the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), and the California harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex californicus).

Though many ants are black, the term “red ants” is used for these Solenopsis species due to their distinctive red coloring However, some unrelated ant species like the red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) can also appear red Proper identification under a microscope is needed to confirm red ant species.

Identifying Red Ants

• Appearance: Red ants have copper brown heads and thoraxes with slightly darker abdomens. Worker ants range from 2-6 mm in size.

• Nests: Red ants build underground nests and mounds in open areas like lawns, parks, and fields. Mounds can reach 16-40 cm high.

• Behavior: Red ants are aggressive defenders of their nests. They swarm and repeatedly sting intruders.

• Sting: Red ants inject a potent, painful venom when they sting. This causes a burning sensation and raised welt at the sting site.

Red Ant Behavior

Red ants exhibit some key behaviors:

• Foraging – Red ants leave the nest to find food including seeds, insects, and sugary substances. They follow scent trails to navigate back to the nest.

• Colony founding – In spring, virgin queens conduct nuptial flights to mate and establish new colonies.

• Defending – Red ants viciously defend the nest when disturbed. Hundreds of workers will swarm out and attack with stings.

• Storing food – Foraged food items are brought into the underground nest and given to worker ants called repletes. These ants store the food in their crops to feed larvae and other members of the colony.

• Polygyny – Some red ant nests contain multiple fertile queens living cooperatively in one colony. This is called polygyny.

Red Ant Habitats

Red ants need specific conditions to thrive:

• Climate – Red ants prefer warm and humid climates. Most species live in tropical or subtropical regions.

• Nests – Underground nests and mounds built in open, sunny areas like lawns, meadows, roadsides, and parks.

• Soil – Well drained, sandy or loamy soil that is easy to excavate.

• Food – Access to sweet substances like honeydew from bugs or sap from plants. Seeds and insects are also foraged.

• Water – Moist areas like pond banks provide needed water. Irrigated lawns are also favored.

Red Ant Stings

Red ants can deliver a painful, venomous sting from their abdomen. Here’s what to expect:

• Sensation – A sharp, burning feeling often described like being “stung by fire.” The site swells into a bump within hours.

• Venom – The venom contains allergenic proteins and toxic alkaloids like solenopsin that cause pain.

• Single stings – Cause a painful raised welt that resolves over a few days. Antihistamines and topical creams provide relief.

• Multiple stings – More venom is injected, increasing pain, swelling, and risk of allergic reaction. Oral steroids may be prescribed.

• Allergic reactions – Some people may develop severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, especially with many stings. This is a medical emergency requiring epinephrine.

Treating Red Ant Stings

• Ice pack – Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain.

• Antihistamines – Oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine help relieve itching.

• Topical creams – Creams with lidocaine, hydrocortisone, or benzocaine can numb and reduce itching.

• Pain relievers – Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help ease pain.

• Steroids – For multiple stings, oral steroids like prednisone may be prescribed to reduce swelling.

• Epinephrine – If a severe allergic reaction develops, emergency epinephrine is needed. Call 911.

Preventing Red Ants

Here are some tips to help prevent red ant infestations:

• Remove food sources like pet food bowls, ripe fruit, and garbage that may attract ants.

• Seal cracks in foundations, walls, and sidewalks so ants cannot enter the home.

• Keep landscaping trim and avoid wood mulch contact with the home’s foundation.

• Treat ant mounds with boiling water, insecticidal baits, or mound drenches to kill colonies.

• Use residual sprays like bifenthrin or cyfluthrin around the perimeter of the home.

• Hire a pest control professional for whole-property treatments if infestations are severe.

Professional Red Ant Control

For serious red ant problems, professional pest control may be needed:

• Bait treatments – Granular baits with slow-acting toxins are applied over the property. Foraging ants take baits back to the nest to eliminate the colony.

• Mound drenches – Insecticide drenches are injected directly into ant mounds to kill the queens and workers.

• Residual sprays – Liquid sprays creating a protective barrier around the home’s perimeter. This keeps ants out.

• Home sealing – Cracks, holes, and openings where ants enter are sealed shut. This excludes ants.

• Follow-up visits – Technicians will return periodically to re-apply treatments and ensure ants are gone.

Red ants can be a nuisance with their painful stings and large nests built in lawns and gardens. Properly identifying red ants by their appearance, nests, and behavior is key for control. While stings can be unpleasant, most resolve with over-the-counter care. However, multiple stings raise the risk of severe allergic reactions. Preventing access to food, sealing entry points, and using baits or sprays can help manage red ant infestations. For severe cases, contacting a professional pest control company is advised to eliminate ant colonies on your property. With vigilance, you can take back your yard from these fiery pests!