Fire ants and other red ants share a similar color, but their size, nesting habits, and temperament set them apart. Knowing which one you're dealing with helps determine the safest way to handle them.
"Red ants" aren’t one single species, but a catch-all name people use for many different ants with a reddish tint.
When people say "fire ant," they're usually talking about the invasive red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, though a few other species get lumped in under the same name.
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Visible ant trails along baseboards, countertops, or patios often point to red ants, especially near food or spilled drinks. Red imported fire ant infestations are easier to spot outdoors thanks to their raised dirt mounds in lawns and garden beds, and you may notice ants swarming out quickly if a mound gets disturbed. Indoors, some red ants may nest in wall voids, while fire ants occasionally move inside during extreme heat or heavy rain.
Not sure which species you’re dealing with? Our local technicians can identify the species and recommend a treatment plan customized to your property.
For red ants in general, keep counters clean, store food in sealed containers, and fix leaky pipes to remove the moisture that attracts them. Sealing gaps around doors and windows also helps keep foraging ants out.
For red imported fire ants, avoid disturbing mounds and keep children and pets away from raised soil piles in the yard. Since colonies are tricky to get rid of safely on your own, a professional ant control plan is often the better long-term option.
No. While both are reddish-brown, fire ants are a specific aggressive species that sting when their mound is disturbed. Other common red ants are far less aggressive and mostly just a nuisance.
No, not all red ants are fire ants. Many species share a similar reddish-brown color, but fire ants are usually identified by their raised mounds and painful sting rather than color alone.
Their stings can cause painful welts and, in rare cases, trigger a serious allergic reaction. Anyone who develops swelling or difficulty breathing after a sting should visit a healthcare professional. Red ants pose a lower sting risk but can still spread bacteria as they move between unsanitary areas and food.
Fire ants tend to be harder to treat, as their colonies can have multiple queens and mounds that extend deep underground. One of our local technicians can help identify the species and recommend the right approach for lasting results.
Our experts will inspect your property inside and out and recommend tailored treatment plans.
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