3 Types Of Red Ants And How To Help Get Rid Of Them

These fiery, relentless invaders that storm your home, garden, or business are more than just a nuisance; they are a challenge to your peace and property.

Knowing which red ant you are facing is the key to winning the war against these pesky pests.

Where have you spotted red ants lately, and what is their most annoying habit? Let us identify these pests and take them down!

 

What are the 3 Types of Red Ants?

1. Red Imported Fire Ants

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are small (0.125 to 0.25 inch), reddish-brown ants with darker abdomens, known for their aggressive swarms and painful stings.

These ants are native to South America, and they have spread across the southern United States, infesting over 300 million acres.

Their venomous stings cause burning pustules and sometimes trigger allergic reactions.

They invade homes for food (sweets, grease) and damage crops, costing agriculture $5 billion annually.

How To Control Red Imported Fire Ants

• Bait the Colony: Use broadcast baits like spinosad or indoxacarb, which workers carry to the queen, wiping out colonies in 1 to 2 weeks. Scatter these baits near mounds in the early morning.
• Drench Mounds: Apply liquid insecticides like bifenthrin directly to mounds, ensuring high kill rates. You should use 1 to 2 gallons for large mounds.
• Natural Deterrents: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around mounds to dehydrate ants.

Quick Tip: Wear gloves and boots when treating mounds to avoid stings.

 

Read also: Are Garter Snakes Poisonous? A Guide To Understanding These Common Critters

 

2. Red Carpenter Ants

Red carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.), such as the Florida carpenter ant, are larger (0.25 to 0.5 inches) with reddish-brown heads and thoraxes fading to black abdomens.

They are wood excavators, leaving sawdust-like frass near nests in damp timber, walls, or attics.

Unlike fire ants, they do not sting but chew through wood, weakening structures like termites. They forage at night for sweets and proteins, entering homes via branches or cracks.

 

How To Control Red Carpenter Ants

• Find and Treat Nests: Locate nests by following frass trails, then inject foam insecticides, such as fipronil, which eliminates colonies.
• Bait Strategically: Place protein-based baits (e.g., boric acid) near trails, reducing foragers.
• Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaks and ventilate attics to dry out nesting sites, cutting activity.

Quick Tip: Check for frass under baseboards or near trees to pinpoint nests.

 

3. Red Harvester Ants

Red harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex spp.) are robust, reddish ants (0.25 inch) with strong jaws, found in arid regions like the U.S. Southwest.

They build large, gravelly mounds up to 2 feet wide, surrounded by cleared soil. Their stings are potent, causing intense pain and swelling.

These ants harvest seeds, damaging lawns and crops. They rarely enter homes but invade yards or businesses near disturbed soil.

 

How To Control Red Harvester Ants

• Mound Drenches: Use liquid insecticides like carbaryl on mounds, achieving control in 48 hours.
• Granular Baits: Scatter oil-based baits like abamectin near mounds; workers carry them to the queen.
• Natural Repellents: Plant ant-repelling herbs like peppermint or tansy around mounds, deterring these foragers.

Quick Tip: Treat ant mounds at dusk when they are active.

 

How to Prevent Red Ants

No matter the red ant type, these strategies strengthen your control efforts:

• Seal Entry Points: Caulk cracks and install weatherstripping, reducing ant access.
• Maintain Sanitation: Clean spills and store food in sealed containers to eliminate attractants, cutting ant activity.
• Monitor Regularly: Use sticky traps to track ant trails, catching early invasions.

 

Read also: When To Use A Cockroach Bomb: Your Guide To Timing & Tactics

 

Conclusion

Red imported fire ants sting, red carpenter ants chew, and red harvester ants steal, but with targeted baits, drenches, and prevention, you can reclaim your space.

These carefully researched strategies ensure your home, garden, or business stays ant-free. What is your next step to stop these red invaders?

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