Red Fire Ants – History
Originating from South America, red fire ants arrived in Florida in the 1930s, attached to the lumber in a cargo ship and spread to other areas. There is an analysis that suggests the ecosystem in Texas and California was devastated by red fire ants, which wiped out two-thirds of local ants. The danger comes from the fact that they possess lethal venom. This is why they are called killer ants. Red fire ants form large colonies, growing in masses. One queen can live up to seven years and produce colonies containing up to 250,000 ants. The young queens leave the colony to mate. They do a mating flight from June to August, when the weather is warm. The new queens have wings and can ride on the wind to travel great distances. As they unleash pheromones, it arouses drones to follow them. Afterward, a new colony is made. The new queens dig many meters into the earth and begin to lay eggs. By spring, these ants could spread like fire.
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