What are red imported fire ants? What makes them different from Texas native ants?
Red imported fire ants are medium-sized ants that build mounds of soft soil. They are rarely larger than 18″ in diameter. In cold, dry areas such as the High Plains of Texas, mounds are usually much smaller and harder to detect. When disturbed, fire ants emerge aggressively and sting. Their sting usually leaves a white pustule on the skin. Other small to medium-sized ants that build small mounds will actually run away from disturbances and are not fire ants. Harvester ants are much larger and make large bare areas with a single entrance hole to the colony. Leafcutter ants are also much larger and do not have a distinctive built-up mound, but do have many entrance holes over a very large area.
