Although the Fire Ant was not a native species in Israel, it has become a common nuisance. The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) was accidentally brought into the country in the last years via a shipment of cargo where they have thrived as a result of the warm climate and lack of predators.
Fire ants can range from 1.6 mm. to 5 mm. in length and can readily be identified by their dull red body coloration, which ranges from reddish brown to reddish black. Fire ants can also bite and the sting that these ants deliver gives them their name.
These aggressive insects are omnivores and feed primarily on living insects and dead animals although once they have infiltrated a home; they are drawn to fats and sweet foods.
Fire ant larvae are fed by the worker adults and eat only a liquid diet until their third larval stage is complete. In their fourth stage of development they are capable of digesting solid foods. The total time from egg to adult reproduction averages approximately 30 days. Workers may live up to 180 days while queens may live from two to six years.
Fire Ants typically nest in the ground. At times, their nests may appear as visible mounds of 61 cm in diameter and about 18 cm high. Large colonies can have up to 250,000 workers. They are very active and extremely aggressive, and will sting any intruding animal repeatedly. Fire ants are least active during the hottest hours of the day. They also avoid darkness and shade, and are more likely to appear in open fields and lawns than in forests. If mounds remain undisturbed and the colony rapidly multiplies, fire ants may send additional queens to begin new mounds nearby.
One common sign of fire ant activity is the swarming of the worker ants. Other signs can be detected by their sandy earthen mounds, which are usually more visible after recent rainfall, or by the complaints of customers who are repeatedly being stung by ants.
When attacking, fire ants first use their mandibles to grip their prey, and then inject venom through a stinger. The sting from the fire fly can be very painful for most humans and sometimes even fatal: if a victim experiences a severe reaction such as sweating, nausea or excessive itching, emergency medical services should be contacted immediately. Their sting, which includes alkaloid venom, is highly irritating to humans and results in red bumps and white pustules, which can ultimately lead to scarring. The sensation of a fire ant burn has been described as ‘intensely burning,’ and fire ants are known to attack potential threats or prey in large numbers. A fire ant colony may contain as many as 100,000 to 500,000 insects, thus increasing the likelihood that multiple stings will be inflicted.
Pest control professionals should be contacted in the event of fire ant activity. These people will perform an inspection in order to determine what action should be taken. They are trained to manage lawn infestations while securing homes against indoor invasions.
To avoid bites or stings outside the home, be cautious and observant where you step, sit or place items such as food or drinks. If you see a fire ant mound, keep an eye on the ground to watch for any ant activity.
FIE ANTS CONTROL STRATEGIES
PEST CONTROL OPERATIONS ARE COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS TO PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANT NESTS.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT ARE RECOMMENDED:
- Actions that can prevent the penetration of Fire Ants into the interior of your homes are: to close any holes that appear between the panels and around the kitchen area; to seal off water pipes and electrical connections.
- Do not leave food and leftovers out without first covering them. Ants harbor an extraordinary ability to find these food sources.
- It is important to identify the type of ant you are dealing with. Some species of ants can be controlled by using bait, while other species must be tracked back to the colony and treated directly.
- Fire Ant pest control operations are used as complementary to preventative care. Advanced pesticide spraying should be carried out throughout the building, as well as distributing baits made of grains or in the form of a gel.a