Much as they’re a part of the ecosystem like Mother Nature intended them to be, there’s absolutely nothing harmless about fire ants. Found in 13 of America’s 52 states, these insects, mistakenly brought over from South America in the early 20th century, have definitely overstayed their welcome, causing a range of agricultural and medical problems with their aggressive attacking and repeated stinging.
Fire ants also cause disturbances in local ecosystems, destroying the nests of, well, pretty much anything they get their hands on—lizards, snakes, songbirds, rodents, toads and the like.
If you’re looking to get rid of a fire ant menace in your backyard (and by all means, you should!), here’s a breakdown on all things ‘fire ants’, including their behavior and how to get rid of them!