Common Dallas Pests

Fire ants get their name from their reddish-brown coloring and the sharp, burning pain that they induce when they sting you. While these nuisance insects are not native to the United States, fire ants have spread across the majority of the southern states. Fire ants originated in South America, and first appeared in the United States in the 1930’s, introduced through the port of Mobile, Alabama.

Now that fire ants have made themselves at home in our country, however, they cause many problems for Texas residents. In most cases, fire ants build their nests outside, and only venture indoors to find an easily accessible source of food, though there have been instances where fire ant nests were built within wall voids and other vacant spaces.

Unlike other ant colonies, fire ants create distinctive dirt mounds where their nests are located, which can be as large as 61cm, or approximately 2 feet wide.

Viewed as the most dangerous ants found in our area, fire ants are attracted to fats and sweets, which can often be found in garbage cans and unsecured food storage containers. These aggressive ants are more likely to build their nests in open, sunny locations, although sometimes they can be found in shaded or forested areas.